Farewell Message
2023/9/25
Leaving Honolulu
"Honolulu?...Now, THAT'S a dream post!"
This is what my colleagues said to me, three years ago, when I was making the rounds at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the announcement came of my assignment to become the next Consul General of Japan in Honolulu.
Given that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has more than 200 overseas diplomatic missions—many of which are located in developing countries where adequate medical care and the insurance of personal safety are huge concerns—and I was being assigned to a popular resort destination surrounded by so much natural beauty, I felt truly blessed.
But, this was September 2020, when COVID was in full force. There were no direct flights from Japan to Honolulu, so I arrived here, via San Francisco, and was under immediate self-quarantine for 14 days, and took all of my work online. When I was finally free to leave my home, I was shocked to see the ghost town that Waikiki, and much of Honolulu, had become.
The next two years would be just one big battle with the pandemic and all of its implications. "We want border measures to be relaxed as soon as possible! We want Japanese tourists to come back!” The public’s voice was loud and clear, and we continued to work closely with the Hawaii State Government and Japanese companies, in response to this.
From the 3rd to the 8th wave of the virus, as new infections increased and decreased, various regulatory measures had to be repeatedly strengthened and relaxed accordingly. It was almost like being on a small boat. In spite of all of this, I still felt fortunate to be able to work side-by-side with colleagues and supporters in the community, and to be able to actively discuss the important issues at hand, and take action as needed—from creating a system for exemption from self-quarantine with a negative PCR test result, to strategies to promote Hawaii tourism.
But COVID was an extenuating circumstance of the time, and as Consul General, I still had my primary duties covering the realms of political affairs and security, the economy, public affairs and culture, and consular affairs.
In the area of security, for example, the Japan-U.S. Alliance was, and is, becoming more and more crucial, as global tensions increased with China's maritime expansion, North Korea's missile tests, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During my term, then-Foreign Minister Hayashi and then-Defense Minister Hamada’s official visits to Hawaii, further served to deepen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
In the economic arena, in addition to the promotion of tourism, it has been encouraging to see the strong Japan-U.S. cooperation underway in the areas of carbon net-zero and clean energy promotion, here in Hawaii. And Japan's new technologies are being utilized in the islands—like in the new Skyline railway, the first segment which opened to the public in June of this year; in grid technology that combines solar and thermal power; and the new hydrogen vehicles—offering so much future potential.
In the area of our consular services., we have been especially involved with the recent wildfires of Maui and Hawaii Island, which began its path of destruction on August 8 this year. We were heartbroken over the tragic loss of lives and property, which included historic Lahaina Town. Immediately after the fires broke out, our Consulate rushed to confirm the safety of Japanese residents and visitors and provided support and assistance. Understanding the road to healing, recovery, and rebuilding is a very long one, I know so many of you have extended—and continue to extend—sentiments of both sympathy and support to those affected...and, for this, I would like to take this opportunity to express my most heartfelt gratitude to you.
We talk often of the special place Hawaii is, and of the very special relationship shared between Hawaii and Japan. Yet, the realization of just how special, came full-circle for me during the DBEDT-hosted Sister Summit, the coming together of Governor Green and mayors of all of the counties here, with the governors and mayors of all prefectures and municipalities in Japan that share a sister-relationship with Hawaii. This cast a spotlight on the shared more than 150-year history between our regions, which reaches back to those early plantation days, as well as the significance of the local kenjinkais (prefectural clubs), which have been working so hard to keep these connections strong.
Looking back at these past three years, I have come to realize just how fulfilling, just how much of a dream post Hawaii was for me...for nowhere else have I felt, in my 35-year career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so welcomed by its people...so deeply-integrated into the local community,...and so completely supported by the many individuals and groups and organizations which I have had the privilege of working with. And, for this, I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.
As my term comes to an end here in Hawaii, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your consideration to extend the same support and assistance you provided me, to my successor, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama, who will arrive here in early October.
May you all be blessed with continued good health and much happiness in the years to come, and I will look forward to the day our paths will cross, once again.
This is what my colleagues said to me, three years ago, when I was making the rounds at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after the announcement came of my assignment to become the next Consul General of Japan in Honolulu.
Given that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has more than 200 overseas diplomatic missions—many of which are located in developing countries where adequate medical care and the insurance of personal safety are huge concerns—and I was being assigned to a popular resort destination surrounded by so much natural beauty, I felt truly blessed.
But, this was September 2020, when COVID was in full force. There were no direct flights from Japan to Honolulu, so I arrived here, via San Francisco, and was under immediate self-quarantine for 14 days, and took all of my work online. When I was finally free to leave my home, I was shocked to see the ghost town that Waikiki, and much of Honolulu, had become.
The next two years would be just one big battle with the pandemic and all of its implications. "We want border measures to be relaxed as soon as possible! We want Japanese tourists to come back!” The public’s voice was loud and clear, and we continued to work closely with the Hawaii State Government and Japanese companies, in response to this.
From the 3rd to the 8th wave of the virus, as new infections increased and decreased, various regulatory measures had to be repeatedly strengthened and relaxed accordingly. It was almost like being on a small boat. In spite of all of this, I still felt fortunate to be able to work side-by-side with colleagues and supporters in the community, and to be able to actively discuss the important issues at hand, and take action as needed—from creating a system for exemption from self-quarantine with a negative PCR test result, to strategies to promote Hawaii tourism.
But COVID was an extenuating circumstance of the time, and as Consul General, I still had my primary duties covering the realms of political affairs and security, the economy, public affairs and culture, and consular affairs.
In the area of security, for example, the Japan-U.S. Alliance was, and is, becoming more and more crucial, as global tensions increased with China's maritime expansion, North Korea's missile tests, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During my term, then-Foreign Minister Hayashi and then-Defense Minister Hamada’s official visits to Hawaii, further served to deepen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
In the economic arena, in addition to the promotion of tourism, it has been encouraging to see the strong Japan-U.S. cooperation underway in the areas of carbon net-zero and clean energy promotion, here in Hawaii. And Japan's new technologies are being utilized in the islands—like in the new Skyline railway, the first segment which opened to the public in June of this year; in grid technology that combines solar and thermal power; and the new hydrogen vehicles—offering so much future potential.
In the area of our consular services., we have been especially involved with the recent wildfires of Maui and Hawaii Island, which began its path of destruction on August 8 this year. We were heartbroken over the tragic loss of lives and property, which included historic Lahaina Town. Immediately after the fires broke out, our Consulate rushed to confirm the safety of Japanese residents and visitors and provided support and assistance. Understanding the road to healing, recovery, and rebuilding is a very long one, I know so many of you have extended—and continue to extend—sentiments of both sympathy and support to those affected...and, for this, I would like to take this opportunity to express my most heartfelt gratitude to you.
We talk often of the special place Hawaii is, and of the very special relationship shared between Hawaii and Japan. Yet, the realization of just how special, came full-circle for me during the DBEDT-hosted Sister Summit, the coming together of Governor Green and mayors of all of the counties here, with the governors and mayors of all prefectures and municipalities in Japan that share a sister-relationship with Hawaii. This cast a spotlight on the shared more than 150-year history between our regions, which reaches back to those early plantation days, as well as the significance of the local kenjinkais (prefectural clubs), which have been working so hard to keep these connections strong.
Looking back at these past three years, I have come to realize just how fulfilling, just how much of a dream post Hawaii was for me...for nowhere else have I felt, in my 35-year career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so welcomed by its people...so deeply-integrated into the local community,...and so completely supported by the many individuals and groups and organizations which I have had the privilege of working with. And, for this, I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.
As my term comes to an end here in Hawaii, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your consideration to extend the same support and assistance you provided me, to my successor, Consul General Yoshinori Kodama, who will arrive here in early October.
May you all be blessed with continued good health and much happiness in the years to come, and I will look forward to the day our paths will cross, once again.