Pictured (from left) are Consul General Hiroshi Furusawa, Idaho Japanese Assn. President Rika Torres, Honorary Consul Robert Hirai and State of Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little. Photo: Diane Smith
Robert Hirai is appointed Honorary Consul of Japan in Idaho
By P.C. Staff
Consul General Hiroshi Furusawa of the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Ore., hosted a reception recently to recognize the appointment of Robert Hirai of Boise as Honorary Consul of Japan in Idaho.
More than 100 people were in attendance, which included state and city officials, congressional staff members, business executives, family and friends.
In his remarks, Consul General Furusawa expressed his goal of expanding the ties of both commercial and cultural interactions between the nation of Japan and the state of Idaho.
He has visited with the mayors in the Treasure Valley to encourage the establishment of a Sister City relationship, which will lead to more frequent people-to-people exchanges, thus nurturing the understanding and friendship of people at the grass-roots level.
Lt. Gov. Brad Little reiterated those comments in his remarks, in which he also cited the strong ties between Idaho and Japan and the importance of maintaining and growing these relationships.
Honorary Consul Hirai is a native of Idaho and has a vast background in finance and organizational development. He was previously the president of the Boise Valley Japanese American Citizens League.
The Government of Japan, in accordance with regular practice, appoints Honorary Consuls in order to maintain the interests of their country and citizens, as well as promote cultural exchanges with foreign countries were official government offices cannot be established.
