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Greeting Message from Consul-General TakeuchiDecember 4, 2018 Hello, my name is Midori Takeuchi, and I assumed the position of Consul-General of Japan in Denver following my arrival here on November 27th, 2018. It is my absolute honor to extend my warmest greetings to everyone in the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.This is the third time I have been assigned to diplomatic service in the United States, as I have previously served at the Consulate-General of Japan in New York and the Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit. In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have worked in the fields of northern American affairs, foreign service training and domestic public relations, as well as with economic issues including energy and Asia-Europe cooperation. I have also spent time assigned to the Board of Audit of Japan. I am delighted and looking forward to this opportunity to serve here in the Rocky Mountain region, in an area so vibrant and blessed with boundless natural beauty.Approximately 8,000 Japanese citizens live in the four mountain states in the area served by the Consulate General of Japan in Denver. The Consulate-General office will strive to provide the best possible consular services, and contribute to the safety and security of all Japanese citizens in this region. We will continue to enhance the services of our Consulate in Denver, as well as provide remote consular service, and endeavor to provide timely information through our website and e-mail services.Against the background of a robust U.S. economy recently, many Japanese companies have started new business operations in the Rocky Mountain region or expanded existing operations. Approximately 100 Japanese companies contribute to the economy and employment in this region, particularly in Colorado and Utah which have enjoyed remarkable economic growth and created much opportunity for business. In cooperation with the JETRO, Japan External Trade Organization, the Consulate-General of Japan intends to further advance its close ties with local state officials and business communities, toward supporting Japanese companies hoping to newly invest or continue smooth operations in the region.The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver further expects to continue presenting Japanese culture for the regional community, with active support of sister city relationships and other grassroots exchanges. Across our four states, this region currently has 16 sister city relationships with towns and cities in Japan. Each of these relationships actively promote mutual understating between the people of Japan and the United States through cultural sharing, with events like Japanese festivals or human exchange such as student exchange and home stays. The Consulate-General enthusiastically supports these activities with the goal of furthering grassroots exchange in the region. This most important mission could not be accomplished without the cooperation of Japan-related organizations such as the Japan America societies, Japanese American civic groups, the Japanese Business Association of the Rockies (JBAR), and various sister city committees and business societies. I look forward to working together with you all, in close cooperation and partnership, toward building solid relations between Japan and the Rocky Mountain region.Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of Japan in Denver in 1999, and the coming year promises to be momentous as Japan passes from “Heisei” into a new era. With this in mind, the Consulate General will continue its efforts to promote mutual understanding at the grassroots level as well as deepen economic ties and other exchange between Japan and the United States. In the pursuit of this goal, I will devote myself together with my staff, to offer a Consulate that is open and helpful to everyone. I welcome your opinions about the role of our Consulate and its services.I humbly ask for your continuing support, understanding and goodwill, as has been shown over many years toward the Consulate General of Japan in Denver.Thank you,Midori TakeuchiConsul-General of Japan in DenverDecember 2018 平成30年12月4日掲載 11月27日に在デンバー日本国総領事として着任致しました。コロラド州、ニューメキシコ州、ユタ州、そしてワイオミング州の皆さまよろしくお願い致します。
米国勤務は、在ニューヨーク日本国総領事館、在デトロイト日本国総領事館に次いで3度目となります。東京では、北米局、国内広報、経済（エネルギー、ASEM）の分野や外務省研修所などで勤務し、会計検査院にも出向していました。この度、広大かつ美しい自然に恵まれたロッキーマウンテン地域に赴任する機会に恵まれ、大変嬉しく思っております。
当館が管轄する山岳部4州（コロラド州、ニューメキシコ州、ユタ州、ワイオミング州）には、約8,000名の日本人の方々がお住まいです。総領事館として、当館の窓口業務の充実をはじめ、領事出張サービス、ホームページやメール等による情報提供を通じて、在留邦人の皆さまの安全や安心に資するような領事サービスの提供に心がけて参ります。
また、近年好調な米国経済の下で、管内に新たに進出し、また、既存の事業を拡充する日系企業が増加しており、約100社の日系企業が雇用創出の形で地元経済に貢献されておられます。特にコロラド州やユタ州は、経済成長が著しく多くのビジネス機会に恵まれております。総領事館として、日系企業の当地でのビジネス進出の支援、そして円滑なビジネス展開が行われるようJETROなどと協力して、州政府関係者や当地ビジネス団体等との関係を強化して参ります。
さらに総領事館として、日本の文化を発信し、姉妹都市や草の根の交流を後押しすることも積極的に行います。日本各地と当館管轄4州の地方自治体との間には16の姉妹都市関係が結ばれ、日本祭り等の文化行事を通じた日本の文化紹介や、学生のホームステイを通じた人的交流が行われ、日米の相互理解の促進が草の根レベルで活発に行われています。これら草の根交流の更なる促進のため総領事館としても積極的に皆さまの活動を支援して参ります。
当館の業務は、日米協会、日系人会、日系人関連団体、ロッキーマウンテン日系企業会、ビジネス団体、姉妹都市委員会などとの協力・連携なしにはあり得ません。皆さまのご協力を引き続きよろしくお願い申し上げます。
当館は、来年開館20周年を迎え、日本では来年、「平成」から新しい時代に移り変わる節目を迎えます。日米間の交流や経済関係が更に発展し、草の根レベルでの相互理解が促進されるよう、努力して参ります。また、地域の皆さまのお役に立てる、開かれた総領事館であるよう館員とともに日々研鑽して参ります。当館の活動につきご意見やご要望がある場合にはいつでもご連絡ください。
皆さまのご理解とご協力を賜りますよう何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。
2018年12月
在デンバー日本国総領事
竹内 みどり
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