エドワーズ・ルイジアナ州知事への表敬（5月31日）

　5月31日，杵渕総領事は，フレッシュ在ニューオーリンズ名誉総領事等とともに、ルイジアナ州議事堂にて，エドワーズ・ルイジアナ州知事を表敬し, ピアソン・ルイジアナ州経済開発局長官同席の下、懇談を行いました。
 　杵渕総領事は，エドワーズ知事の強力な支援を得つつ，重要な日・ルイジアナ州関係を更に強固なものとしていきたい，経済関係の強化は勿論，一層の人的・文化交流も重要であると考えており，在日米軍勤務者を中心とする退役軍人とのネットワークの強化，JETプログラムの拡大，対日投資の促進へのご理解及び支援をお願いしたい旨述べました。
 　エドワーズ知事は，米国と日本の関係は相互に有益な関係であり，州知事としてその強化に努めたい，ルイジアナ州に対する更なる投資を歓迎し，文化・人的交流面でも協力に努めたい旨述べました。
 
　On May 31^st, Consul-General Kinefuchi met with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson and Ms. Donna Fraiche, Honorary Consul-General of Japan in New Orleans, also joined the meeting.  
　The Consul-General noted the importance of the relationship between Japan and Louisiana and expressed his hopes to work with Governor Edwards to further deepen the partnership.  Consul-General Kinefuchi highlighted the importance of strengthening both economic relationship and also cultural and interpersonal exchanges. He also asked for the Governor’s support in efforts to build a network with Louisiana military personnel and veterans formerly stationed in Japan, to expand the JET program, and to promote investments in both directions.
　In return, Governor Edwards stated that the US and Japan have a mutually beneficial relationship and, as the new Governor, he would like to further strengthen the relationship. He also expressed his interests to welcome investments from Japan and to further strengthen the economic and cultural partnership between Louisiana and Japan.