I am Akira Hayasaka from Mitsui & Co. (US.A.), Inc., and I succeeded Mr. Kawakami as president of the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH) in October 2022. Accordingly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Kawakami for all the vast efforts and contributions he made towards developing JBAH during his tenure as president.

 

As for me, I arrived in Houston about two years ago straight from Tokyo, in August 2020. At first, I was working 100% from home amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I am sure every one of you went through many hardships back then. Since those dark times, I am very pleased to be able to talk with many people face to face these days. Although I had visited Houston frequently on business in the past, this was my first time to be stationed here. I am happy to be able to report that my family and I have since become accustomed to life in Houston, and we are enjoying the relaxed and open atmosphere of the city.

 

Houston, which used to be the center of the oil and gas industry, is now facing the worldwide movement toward decarbonization as a countermeasure against climate change, while the importance of U.S. natural gas is being reaffirmed in light of the surging geopolitical risks around the globe. Given these factors, I feel that Houston's function and significance will only increase in the U.S. and the world.

 

With the support of the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston and other organizations, we will continue to make every effort to ensure that our members and their families can lead safe, fulfilling lives, and contribute to our member organizations' development.

 

 

October 1st, 2022