MESSAGE FROM the CONSUL-GENERAL,
The Consulate-General of Japan in Kolkata
Welcome to our Website!
I am Mitsuo Kawaguchi, Consul-General of Japan, Kolkata.
Two and a half years have passed since I was assigned to Kolkata as the Consul-General of Japan in October 2011. During this period, when the Great Eastern Earthquake hit Japan, people of Kolkata and eastern India extended their deep condolences and heartwarming encouragement to the affected people. Furthermore, civic groups and benevolent institutions organized memorial services and gatherings in various places to show their heartfelt solidarity towards the victims in Japan.
Reaffirming my deep faith that “People of eastern India have a warm heart.”, our Consulate has also reciprocated by befriending more and more people, which contributed to further strengthened the deep rooted bond of friendship.
Formerly, Kolkata was known as “Calcutta” and it has been the capital of British India until 1912. The “Cultural Hub of India” has often been the sobriquet of Kolkata, and it can be said that an inbuilt characteristic of the people of Kolkata lies in their love for their culture, irrespective of financial condition, age or sex.
Further, West Bengal including Kolkata has been the land where the bridge of friendship was born between the great poet Rabindranath Tagore and famous Japanese artist Tenshin Okakura. Again, another Bengali, Justice Pal was appointed to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East after the World War. Many such people from Bengal have created history of overseas bonding with Japan.
Our Consulate laid its foundation here in March, 1907. At present, our jurisdiction states are West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha (Formerly Orissa). Our sole endeavour has been to make progress in economic activities, increase cultural exchange between Japan and Eastern India, and to provide assistance and to act as guardian to the Japanese residents staying here.
In 2012, we celebrated 60th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and India. The reciprocal visits of respective Prime Ministers every year and mutual visits of the high officials has strengthened the bilateral relations and brought Japan and India much closer to each other. Against the backdrop of such friendly relations between both countries, we would be very happy if you find this website helpful and informative.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Mitsuo Kawaguchi
Consul-General of Japan, Kolkata
