ATTORNEY DONNA D. FRAICHE APPOINTED HONORARY CONSUL-GENERAL OF JAPAN IN NEW ORLEANS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 7, 2008
CONTACT:
VICE CONSUL HIROSHI HIRAMATSU
CONSULAR OFFICE OF JAPAN IN NASHVILLE
(615)-340-4300
Ms. Donna D. Fraiche, a former President of the World Trade Center of New Orleans, was appointed as the Honorary Consul-General of Japan in New Orleans on April 1 st by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. Ms. Fraiche will represent Japan as the nation strives to create new friendships and strengthen existing ones in Louisiana.
Ms. Fraiche has had a successful career in the legal profession and has led a distinguished public life. As shareholder in the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, she concentrates her practice in representing health care institutions and working with the development of health care public policy. She is a Health Law Fellow and Past President of the American Health Lawyers Association as well as a former President and member of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Bar Foundation.
Ms. Fraiche has been a member of The World Trade Center of New Orleans since 1992. She has served in various positions within the organization, including President from 2002-2003 and Chair of the Board of Directors from 2004-2005. As a result of her legal expertise and extensive public experience, Ms. Fraiche has held numerous speaking engagements, made several television and radio appearances, and has written or been featured in many professional and media publications. She currently serves as Chair of the Louisiana Health Care Commission. Ms. Fraiche is currently a member of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Board of Directors and chairs its long term community planning effort, a prestigious group that assists the governor to assert recovery leadership and creatively identify, prioritize and address short- and long-term recovery goals.
The appointment of Ms. Fraiche as Honorary Consul-General in New Orleans follows the closing of the Consulate-General of Japan in New Orleans on January 1, 2008. The Consular Office of Japan in Nashville subsequently opened and Ms.Fraiche was appointed Honorary Consul-General in New Orleans to preserve and further strengthen the excellent relations between Japan and Louisiana. The Honorary Consul-General will facilitate economic, cultural and intellectual ties between Louisiana and Japan by representing the latter at various events.
New Orleans in particular is recognized by Japan as a prominent center of international tourism and trade. Japan is the largest exporter to Louisiana and the state is the sixth largest exporter to Japan. New Orleans is the sister city to Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, and the Port of New Orleans is a sister port to the Port of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan. Thus, the appointment of an Honorary Consul-General reflects Japan’s desire to have a continued presence in the city.