The 17th Kansai Consular Forum, hosted by METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), was held with the participation of consuls general and consuls from 21 countries.

Following presentations by METI and the Expo 2025 Association, updates were shared on the progress, events, and themes of various national pavilions.

With just one month to go until the grand opening, participating countries are now in the final stages of preparation.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, set to open on April 13, will offer countless business opportunities and networking possibilities—get ready!

On January 24, the Kyoto Tech Tour, hosted by the City of Kyoto, took place at ACT Kyoto.

A total of 20 participants attended, starting with presentations by Kyoto-based startup companies, followed by a poster session and networking opportunities between the companies and consuls.

During Expo 2025, many delegations from around the world are expected to visit Japan, bringing new business opportunities. In anticipation of this, the City of Kyoto organized this tech tour for consuls and honorary consuls to explore Kyoto’s innovation ecosystem.

We were also honored to receive remarks from the Mayor of Kyoto. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!

A discussion meeting was held between the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, the Mayor of Osaka City, and consulates in the Kansai region on17 Jan 2025.

The main topic of interest was the Expo 2025, which is now just three months away. Discussions covered logistics, events, and the Expo’s legacy. The Osaka Prefectural and City governments shared their perspectives on how to ensure that the Expo is not just a one-time event but a lasting legacy, and what initiatives are being implemented to achieve this.

Additionally, it was officially announced that Ms. Carolyn Davidson , who has served as the Dean of the Kansai Consular Corps since June 2023, will step down from her role as British Consul-General to focus on position as the UK Government Commisioner General for Expo 2025.

With this transition, it was also announced that Consul-General Lee Sangyol of the Consul-General of Korea in Kobe will assume the role of Acting Dean as of this day. While the official appointment will take place at the annual general meeting in May, he has already taken on the responsibilities as Acting Dean.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dean Carolyn Davidson for her contributions and warmly congratulate the new Dean on his appointment.

1月17日、大阪府知事と大阪市長、そして関西の総領事館との意見交換会が行われました。

最も関心が高い、開幕まで３か月とせまった万博について、ロジ面、イベント、そして万博レガシーについて意見交換がされました。万博を一過性のものにせず、レガシーとして生き続けるためにどのような取り組みがされているか、どう取り組むか、大阪府市の見解も話されました。

また、2023年6月から関西領事団の団長を務めてこられた英国総領事キャロリン・デービッドソン氏が、英国万博政府代表に専任されるため総領事を退任し、団長を退くことが正式に発表されました。

これに伴い、在神戸韓国総領事の李相烈氏が新たに団長代理として就任することも発表されました。正式な任命は5月の年次総会にて行われますが、団長代理としての役割を担われることとなりました。

キャロリン・デービッドソン団長のこれまでの貢献に深く感謝申し上げるとともに、新団長の就任を心よりお祝い申し上げます。

The Kansai Consular Corps recently had the pleasure of participating in the KCC Sake Brewery Tour in Wakayama on Friday, 29th November 2024. This special event, sponsored by the Osaka Tax Bureau, aimed to promote Japanese sake to the world and support the growth of its export market.

During the tour, we:

• Observed the intricate process of sake production.
• Experienced the art of plum wine making and enjoyed sake tasting, showcasing Wakayama’s position as Japan’s largest producer of Japanese plums (ume).
• Made a courtesy visit to Wakayama City Hall, where we had the honor of meeting the Vice-Mayor and learning about Wakayama’s key industries.

This tour was an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Kansai Consular Corps and to experience Wakayama’s rich culture and industry. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Osaka Tax Bureau and Wakayama Prefecture for organizing this meaningful and enriching event.

We recently had the opportunity to embark on a one-day tour to Shizuoka, packed with exciting experiences and cultural insights. Here’s a quick recap of our schedule:

-Visited the Tea Museum, SHIZUOKA, to explore the rich history and culture of tea.

-Participated in a fascinating factory tour of Meiji Co., Ltd.

-Made a courtesy visit to Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Yasutomo Suzuki.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Shizuoka Prefecture for organizing this wonderful tour! It was a memorable and enriching experience, highlighting the beauty, culture, and innovation of Shizuoka. Thank you for your warm hospitality and support!

An international exchange education session was held with participation from several KCC members, including the Honorary Consulates of Latvia, Mexico, Slovakia, Tanzania, and Tunisia.

I attended the session hosted by Mr. Konoike, Vice Dean of KCC and Honorary Consul of Tanzania. This session was designed for junior high school students to deepen their understanding of Tanzania. It was an engaging and insightful experience, offering students the opportunity to learn more about Tanzania’s rich culture and history.

We hope this session inspired students to develop an interest in countries beyond Japan.

Thank you so much for your cooperation and support despite your busy schedules!

S&TDC had the incredible opportunity to visit Glicopia Kobe in Japan, where we delved into the fascinating world of Glico, the maker of the iconic Pocky and Pretz snacks.

During our visit, we toured the production line and witnessed firsthand the meticulous process that goes into creating these beloved treats. It was impressive to see the dedication and craftsmanship that defines Glico’s products, ensuring quality and flavor.

We also learned about the company’s founder, Mr. Ezaki, whose vision and innovation laid the foundation for Glico’s success. His commitment to quality and creativity continues to inspire not only the company but also snack lovers around the world.

S&TDC visited the Nakanoshima Qross, a center for the industrialization of future medicine, where medical institutions, companies, startups, and support organizations gathered in one place, which opened on June 2024. The facility aims to have the companies, medical institutions, and other entities that reside work together to cycle the roles of “practice,” “creation,” and “sharing”.

On the same day in the afternoon, International Symposium the “Future Medicine Pre-EXPO” was held.

The highlight of the event is as follows;

-Online presentation by the Special Guest, Her Royal Highness, Dr. Mariam Matar, the Founder & Chairman of UAEGenetic Disease Association (the first female founder & chairman of Dubai government agency)

– Introducing how the organizations(Academia, National Institutes, Local government called “Biock” works.

and facility tour and networking session.

The 2024 Kansai Consular Corps Annual General Meeting commenced on Tuesday 4th June 2024. Ms Carolyn Davidson, British Consul-General and Dean of the Kansai Consular Corps, chaired the meeting. There were 61confirmed attendees from 49 countries.

The KCC Chair, who welcomed and thanked attendees for their participation, opened the meeting. A special welcome was also extended to Ambassador Himeno, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting progressed according to the agenda, with lively discussion among participants for a variety of topics including the EXPO 2025.

S&T Diplomatic Circle visited the headquaters of Sysmex Corporation engaged in the health care business and is a global leader in the hematology field, covering 190 countries and regions. It was impressive to see and exerience “Hinotori”, a robotic surgery system!