Message from Consul-General NAKAGAWA Koichi

I am NAKAGAWA Koichi, Consul-General of Japan in Kolkata. I arrived in Kolkata in May 2022. Previously, I served as Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Los Angeles. Though this is my first time to work in Kolkata, I was once posted at the Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai about 35years ago. Therefore, I’m very happy to be able to come back to India again.
 
I’m also glad to be in Kolkata, known as the city of Joy, in this memorable year, as this year marks the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. Today, Japan and India are enjoying excellent relations as strategic partners, cooperating in a close and multilayered manner not only on bilateral issues but also on regional and international issues. In March 2022, KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, visited India for the first time in four and a half years to hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Modi. In May this year, Prime Minister Modi visited Japan to attend the QUAD (Japan-Australia-India-U.S.) Leaders' Meeting. The reciprocal visits demonstrate the strong Japan-India ties.
 
Japan also enjoys a friendship with West Bengal for many years. Kolkata has always been the cultural hub of India and is also the city where the friendship between the great poet Rabindranath Tagore and the famous Japanese artist OKAKURA Tenshin flourished. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Justice Radhabinod Pal, well known to Japanese people, also contributed to the Japan-India relationship. During my tenure here in Kolkata, I will do my utmost to further promote the relationship with West Bengal. I’m looking forward to meeting with many of you in near future.
                
NAKAGAWA Koichi
Consul-General of Japan in Kolkata
June 2022