Los Angeles, CA – The Japanese American community in Los Angeles warmly welcomed the new Consul General, Kosei Murota, and Deputy Consul General, Naoko Kamitani, at a reception held on Monday, September 8.
The event took place in the garden room of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo and was hosted by over 40 organizations.
The Community Welcome Reception Planning Committee invited 150 representatives from various organizations to attend the event. Consul General Murota, who arrived in Los Angeles on August 11, and Deputy Consul General Kamitani, who came in July 2025, were introduced to the community.
In his remarks, Consul General Murota expressed his gratitude to the reception planning committee and acknowledged the organizations involved, including the Japan America Society of Southern California, Japan Business Association of Southern California, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Japanese American National Museum, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, Keiro, Little Tokyo Business Association, Little Tokyo Community Council, Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai, and Orange County Japanese American Association.
Consul General Murota highlighted the strong relationship between Japanese Americans and Japan-based companies in Los Angeles, showing a recent photo of a mixer event between the two groups.
He also addressed the challenges faced by the community, noting the aging Sansei generation and broader economic and demographic trends. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the importance of a spontaneous and proactive attitude in community building.
"No community building will be successful unless it’s spontaneous," Consul General Murota stated. "We hope the spontaneous will draw up many people of the Japanese American community, including the Yonsei generation."
The reception provided an opportunity for community leaders to connect with the new diplomats and discuss future collaborations.
From Community Welcome Reception Program
Acknowledgements: Café Dulce / Fugetsu-Do / Japan America Society / Mutual Trading Co., Inc.
Organizations Represented: Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai / Charanporan USA / Cultural News / Dai Nippon Nokai Nanka Shikai / Fuji Japanese Music, Inc. / Go For Broke National Education Center / Ikebana Teachers Guild of Southern California / Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles / Japan External Trade Organization / Japan Foundation Los Angeles / Japan House Los Angeles / Japanese American Citizens League / Japanese Community Pioneer Center / Japanese Food Culture Association / Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California / Japanese American Treaty – Centennial Scholarship Fund / LA Tomonkai / Little Tokyo Service Center / Matutoyo Kai / Minani California Shigin Renmei / Nichibei Fujinkai / Nisei Week Foundation / Omotesenke Domonkai Southern California Region / Pasadena Buddhist temple / Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute / Rafu Shimpo / San Diego Japan Business Association / Southern California Gardeners’ Federation / Terminal Island Association / Union Church of Los Angeles / Urasenke Tankokai Los Angeles Association/ U.S. Bank / WWII Camp Wall Project
