サンディエゴタウン・ロサンゼルスタウン読者の皆様、明けましておめでとうございます。
着任から3年目を迎え、この間、ロサンゼルス以外の都市も含め、数多くの場所に出向き、日米両国の交流を肌感覚で理解するよう努める中で、総領事館として、両国関係を更に拡大・深化させることに注力して参りました。各地で温かく迎えていただき、感謝申し上げます。
まず始めに、昨年１月の能登半島地震への義援金に対し、南加の皆様から多くの温かいご支援が寄せられており、改めて感謝申し上げます。
世界で最も多くの在留邦人を抱える当館にとって、領事業務は在留邦人の皆様と直接接点をもつ大切な仕事であり、最重要業務の一つです。従来の領事業務に加えて昨年５月末からは国外転出者向けマイナンバーカードの申請・交付業務も開始しておりますところ、引き続き、各種サービスの利便性向上を推進して参ります。
北米最大と言われる当地の日系人コミュニティは日米交流の要です。リトル東京の歴史的価値を認識し、次世代リーダーとの連携を強化して参ります。また、日系人コミュニティを軸としつつ、より多様なコミュニティとの交流も更に深めていきたいと思います。
南加は日系企業による北米最大の進出地です。環境技術を含む多分野での協力を進め、観光や日本食の普及にも力を入れています。また、2025年大阪・関西万博では日本の魅力を発信し、日米の経済関係強化に繋げる計画です。
2025年は戦後80周年の節目の年です。日米両国は過去を乗り越え、かけがえのない友人関係を築きました。今年もその友情をさらに強固にするため、全力を尽くす所存です。
結びに、読者の皆様、そしてサンディエゴタウン・ロサンゼルスタウンの関係者の皆様の新しい年におけるご健康とご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。
令和7年 元旦
在ロサンゼルス日本国総領事
曽根 健孝
【英語】
Happy New Year to the reader of San Diego Town and Los Angeles Town.
Since assuming my post, I have now entered my third year of service in this region. So far, I have visited many places in Los Angeles and beyond, and have sought to understand Japan-U.S. exchange through firsthand experience, while the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles has focused on further expanding and deepening relations between our two countries.
First of all, I would like to express our gratitude for the kind support we have received from people in Southern California, as we continue to accept donations to assist those impacted by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which occurred in January 2024.
As a Japanese consulate located in a region with the largest population of Japanese nationals outside of Japan, consular services are one of our most important duties for this year and are vital to maintain direct contact with Japanese nationals. In addition to those consular services, we began accepting applications in May 2024 for the issuance of Individual Number cards to those who moved from Japan, and we will continue to work to improve the convenience of our various services.
The Japanese American community in Southern California, the largest in North America, is a linchpin of Japan-U.S. relations. While recognizing the historical and cultural importance of Little Tokyo, we will continue to support the efforts of various Japanese American organizations and next-generation leaders.
Southern California is home to the largest number of Japanese companies in North America. We will continue to promote partnership between the public and private sectors to further elevate economic relations, which are supported by cooperation between economic organizations in both countries as well as private-sector business. Meanwhile, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is not only an opportunity to showcase Japan's appeal to the world, but also a great opportunity for businesspeople from around the world to gather.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the World War II. The United States and Japan, which were once adversaries, have overcome the past and now enjoy an unparalleled friendship. With hope that the world will move towards harmony and cooperation rather than division and confrontation, I will do my utmost this year to further strengthen the friendship between Japan and the United States.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to Japanese nationals, members of the Japanese American community, and everyone in Southern California for good health, happiness; and for the further development of Japan-U.S. relations in the new year.
2025/1/1
Kenko Sone
Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
坂本祐央子（さかもとゆみこ） 
ロッキーおしょう 
藤田文枝 
橋本諭弥 
hiro 
SETSUKO 
神谷保険 
アメリカ在住ライター／猪股るー 
Mt.zaki 
神戸剣道会 
KUMA 
