The last weekend of July has proven to be an eventful one for KTIO. On Friday, July 24th, our office gathered for a barbecue with the Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association to celebrate the Kobe Seafair Ambassador, Ms. Akane Kotani.
Earlier in the afternoon on Friday, July 24th, both KTIO and the Hyogo Business & Cultural Center attended a special Sendoff Reception for new members of the JET Program leaving to teach English and support local government throughout Japan. The reception was held at the residence of Seattle’s Consulate General of Japan, Mr. Masahiro Omura. A total of 64 new JET hirees will be leaving for Japan; five of the 64 will travel to Hyogo Prefecture, and two of those five will travel to Kobe. Of the JET hirees traveling to Kobe, they plan to work with both Hazetani Junior High School and Sakuranomiya Junior High School.
64 new JET Program hirees will visit Japan to teach English as Assistant Language Teachers or assist local government as Coordiators for International Relations
Ms. Akane Kotani arrived in Seattle on Thursday, July 23rd to participate as a representative of Kobe in Seattle’s annual Seafair Torchlight Parade. The Seafair Torchlight Parade heralds the beginning of Seattle’s Seafair festival, and is a renowned event where Seattle citizens, organizations, and businesses may celebrate both Seafair and the spirit of Seattle.
Below are photos of the Seafair Torchlight Parade on Saturday, July 25th:
A photo of the beginning of the Seafair Torchlight Parade
Kobe Seafair Ambassador Akane Kotani participating in the Torchlight Parade
Seattle Mariners’ starting pitcher, Felix Hernandez, participating in the Torchlight Parade
University of Washington marching band providing entertainment during the Torchlight Parade
Mayor Ed Murray (left) and husband Michael Shiosaki (right) participating in the Seafair Torchlight Parade
Seattle’s Seafair weekend begins on Friday, July 31st, and continues until Sunday, August 2nd.
After the first leg of their visit to San Francisco and Seattle, Mayor Hisamoto and the Kobe delegation returned to San Francisco last week for continued exchange with San Francisco’s local government and entrepreneurial organizations.
Mayor Hisamoto, KTIO’s Director Sometani and the Kobe delegation spent Tuesday, June 16 visiting TUMML, an organization that aids entrepreneurs in impacting local communities. Mayor Hisamoto also met with Chief Data Officer Joy Bonaguro and Chief Information Office Miguel Gamino at San Francisco’s City Hall. Mayor Hisamoto also participated in a PR reception on Kobe-sponsored investment promotion at the residence of San Francisco’s Consulate General of Japan, Jun Yamada.
Exchanging with Joy Bonaguro and Miguel Gamino at San Francisco City Hall
Mayor Hisamoto (left) with CDO Joy Bonaguro and CIO Miguel Gamino at San Francisco City Hall
Mayor Hisamoto participating in a reception at the residence of Jun Yamada, San Francisco’s Consulate General of Japan
On Wednesday, June 17, Mayor Hisamoto met with Code for America. Code for America is non-profit organization that seeks to improve local communities by connecting open source technology with the transformation of government services. Mayor Hisamoto also met with Peter Hirshberg, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur that focuses on connecting modern technology with business growth.
Mayor Hisamoto participated in a mayors’ panel at San Francisco’s City Innovate Summit
Mayor Hisamoto speaks at the residence of Jun Yamada, San Francisco’s Consulate General of Japan
Mayor Hisamoto participated in San Francisco’s City Innovate Summit on Wednesday, speaking among a panel of city mayors about his unique approach to solving Kobe’s modern challenges. Mayor Hisamoto’s presentation focused upon growing Kobe’s IT, business startup, and biomedical sectors.
Mayor Hisamoto presents at San Francisco’s City Innovate Summit
Mayor Hisamoto answering questions at San Francisco’s City Innovate Summit
Kobe Trade Information office looks forward to future visits from Mayor Hisamoto, and will continue to post information regarding the results of Mayor Hisamoto’s exchanges with the local governments and organizations of Seattle, San Francisco, and the Silicon Valley.
On June 11th, a delegation from Kobe joined KTIO’s Director Tetsuya Sometani in assisting Mayor Kizō Hisamoto with a visit to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Seattle. Mayor Hisamoto has come to the West Coast with a deep interest in collaboration between aerospace, biomedical, IT, and community programs in both Washington state and California. Since arriving on the 11th, Mayor Hisamoto has met with numerous organizations and progressive thinkers–including Apple, startup investment organization “500 Startups,” and Seattle’s own Mayor Ed Murray. Mayors Hisamoto and Murray met for the signing of an agreement that will foster partnership and exchange between Seattle and Kobe’s aerospace and IT industries.
Mayor Hisamoto, the Kobe delegation, and KTIO Director Tetsuya Sometani have returned to San Francisco to meet with the San Francisco Japanese consulate; exchange with San Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee; participate in San Francisco’s City Innovation Summit; and much more.
Check back periodically for updates, photos, and videos from Mayor Hisamoto’s visit to San Francisco and Seattle. Read on for a photo stream of Mayor Hisamoto’s activities from the 11th through the 15th.
Mayor Hisamoto (2nd on left) and members of the Kobe delegation at Apple in Cupertino, CA
Mayor Hisamoto (3rd from right) and members of the Kobe delegation stand with Zafer Younis, a Venture Partner at 500 Startups
Mayor Hisamoto tours the Ferry Building and local farmer’s market in San Francisco, CA
Mayor Hisamoto and the Kobe delegation explore the local market of San Francisco’s Ferry Building
Mayor Hisamoto visits a “Hackathon” at San Francisco International Airport–an event where local computer programmers joined together to innovate and improve upon travel apps
Mayor Hisamoto learning more about the “Hackathon” project at San Francisco International Airport
Seattle’s Mayor Ed Murray and Mayor Hisamoto signing an agreement of exchange between Seattle and Kobe’s aerospace and IT industries
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and Mayor Hisamoto shake hands after signing the Letter of Intent for business exchange
Mayors Murray and Hisamoto after the signing the Letter of Intent at City Hall, Seattle, WA
みなさん、こんにちは。
この度、神戸シアトルビジネスオフィスの所長に就任しました、染谷哲也です。どうぞよろしくお願いします。２０１５年４月１日、神戸市シアトル事務所は隣の部屋に移転し、兵庫県ワシントン州事務所と手を携えていくことになりました。写真の右は、河知所長です。
私にとって、シアトルは２度目になりますが、その間、２０年以上の月日が流れ、シアトルの発展に驚いています。日本の経済がバブルといわれたころ、私はＵｎｉｖｅｒｔｉｓｙ ｏｆ Ｗａｓｈｉｎｇｔｏｎ で経営学修士を取りました。そうです、私もＨｕｓｋｙなのです。
（ＵＷのマスコットがハスキー犬であることから、ＵＷの卒業生をＨｕｓｋｙと呼びます。）
２０数年ぶりの米国生活に戸惑う事もありますが、力一杯がんばってまいりますので、皆さんよろしくお願いします。
染谷哲也
Dear All,
Welcome to our homepage. I am Tetsuya Sometani, the newly assigned Director for Kobe Trade Information Office (KTIO).
Seattle has been a very special place for me. More than 20 years ago, when Japan was in the midst of a bubble economy, I was a graduate student studying at the University of Washington, where I obtained an MBA. Yes, I am a husky! Time goes by quickly. I am amazed by so many changes and development since then.
On April 1st, KTIO moved and merged into the office of Hyogo Business & Cultural Center (HBCC). I am looking forward to collaborating with HBCC to remain close and to grow our business together. (in the photo, shown right, HBCC’s new Director, Mr. Kawachi)
This year, the focus of KTIO will take a different direction to more business side rather than cultural exchange side. It will be quite a challenge; however, I am thrilled for this opportunity and ready to start my new journey.
Being back here after 20 years of absence, I get bewildered in a long-forgotten environment. Yet, I am so excited to be here to bring something valuable and meaningful for both city of Kobe and Seattle. I will do my best and I appreciate all of your support.
Best regards,
Tetsuya Sometani
As of April 1st, 2015, Kobe Trade information Office has moved into the space of Hyogo Business and Cultural Center where is located to old suite. The director, Masao Kakiuchi, has returned to Kobe as of March 31st. A new director, Tetsuya Sometani, will be arriving in Seattle around the beginning of May. We look forward to your continued cooperation in the future.
神戸市シアトル事務所（Kobe Trade Information Office）が移転しました。
2015年4月1日に当事務所は隣接する兵庫県ワシントン州事務所（Hyogo Business and Cultural Center）内に移転しました。また、所長の垣内正雄は3月31日を以て神戸に帰任し、5月より新所長の染谷哲也が就任する予定です。今後とも神戸市シアトル事務所（Kobe Trade Information Office）をよろしくお願いいたします。