The 11th consul general of Japan arrived in Detroit last August to assume his new position at the consulate-general office in downtown Detroit’s Renaissance Center.
Mitsuhiro Wada, a career diplomat, says he’s impressed with what he’s seen.
This is Wada’s first, long-term assignment in the United States — one he wholeheartedly welcomes. His office has jurisdiction of Michigan and Ohio as well.
“I am very happy to be in Michigan and Ohio, two key states where Japan enjoys very close relations in diverse fields,” said Wada. “I will continue to encourage Japanese trade and investment, promote cultural and educational programs, and support the Japanese residents in this region, as missions of our office.”
During his stay so far, Wada has embraced the resurgence of the city.
“I have extensively toured around Detroit and have witnessed the impressive recovery and redevelopment process undertaken by the people of this iconic city,” he said. “There is great new input and investment in Detroit and the positive changes in the city’s atmosphere are striking. I also noticed that major cultural events such as Youmacon and the Jazz Festival have been successfully held downtown.
“Japan is one of the active community members here,” he added. “Last year, the Japanese Business Society in Detroit (JBSD) committed $3.2 million to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) under ‘the Grand Bargain’, in an effort to protect its invaluable artwork from creditors. The DIA and JBSD are now discussing a new ‘Japan Gallery.’ Such commitment by the Japanese
business community carries significant meaning for U.S./Japan bilateral relations.”
Japan, he said, is a leading foreign investor in Michigan. According to Wada, there are 487 Japanese companies in Michigan, providing more than 38,000 jobs. Japan is the No. 1 foreign investor in Ohio, where there are 422 Japanese facilities with nearly 71,000 jobs.
Wada also noted the long-standing state and city ties with Japan.
After less than a month on the job, Wada returned to Japan to participate in the 47th Annual Japan-Midwest Conference and was inspired by the enthusiastic participation of Michigan and Ohio leaders.
“State and city government officials, economic development organizations, and business leaders from both Japan and nine Midwest states attended the conference,” he noted. “Many ideas were shared about economic relations and possible future cooperation between Japan and the Midwest.”
Prior to his arrival in Michigan, Wada said he met with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan in Tokyo.
“It was a great success and the mayor’s message was very well received in Japan,” he said.
Currently, nearly 4,300 students are enrolled in Japanese language courses in 42 of the top universities, colleges and community colleges in Michigan and Ohio, Wada indicated.
“I hope to promote, as much as possible, the study of Japanese language in this region, since not only does language learning draw Americans and Japanese closer culturally, it also enhances employment opportunities at Japan-affiliated companies,” Wada said. “To foster strong bilateral relations in the next generation, I also encourage youth exchange between the two countries, such as with The Kakehashi Project-Bridge for Tomorrow and the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program.”
The Kakehashi Project is an annual, government-funded program for U.S. high school and university students to travel to Japan for a 10-day visit and exchange with local institutions.
The JET Program provides opportunities for U.S. college graduates to work in Japan, for one to five years, as assistant English language teachers or coordinators for international relations.
Wada said his goal “is to visit as many people and places as possible with the two states during my stay here.”
“I strongly feel that our economic, educational and cultural ties have never been better, and I will put forth my best effort to further promote friendship and mutual understanding while I introduce Japanese culture and/or views,” Wada said.
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