Consul-General Matsumoto Addresses City of Tupelo and Lee County Economic Development Officials
2023/3/24
On March 24th, Consul-General Matsumoto spoke with business leaders in Tupelo / Lee County, as well as other parts of northern Mississippi, at a breakfast hosted by the Community Development Foundation (CDF).
The breakfast was held at the Elvis Presley Birthplace museum and was sponsored by area businesses, prior to the March 25th Mississippi Cherry Blossom Festival. Attendees included David Rumbarger (CDF President and CEO), Mitch Waycaster (former Honorary Consul of Japan in Tupelo), Yukio Tashiro (President, Japan-America Society of Mississippi), Mieko Kikuchi (Board Member, Japan-America Society of Mississippi), and about 70 other Tupelo area business leaders.
Former Honorary Consul Waycaster expressed his gratitude to the eight Japan-affiliated companies, including Toyota, with established operations in Tupelo and/ or Lee County, for the jobs created and the tremendous contributions they have made to growth in the region.
Consul General Matsumoto then introduced himself and spoke about the contributions of the Japan-America Society of Mississippi and other Japan-Mississippi organizations, as well as the role of the Consulate and its Economic Affairs Section, in supporting Japanese companies. CG Matsumoto also introduced JETRO, the Japan Foundation, and other organizations working to further the Japan-U.S. partnership.
The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, and many attendees stopped by the Consul General's table after the address to thank him for his visit.
The breakfast was held at the Elvis Presley Birthplace museum and was sponsored by area businesses, prior to the March 25th Mississippi Cherry Blossom Festival. Attendees included David Rumbarger (CDF President and CEO), Mitch Waycaster (former Honorary Consul of Japan in Tupelo), Yukio Tashiro (President, Japan-America Society of Mississippi), Mieko Kikuchi (Board Member, Japan-America Society of Mississippi), and about 70 other Tupelo area business leaders.
Former Honorary Consul Waycaster expressed his gratitude to the eight Japan-affiliated companies, including Toyota, with established operations in Tupelo and/ or Lee County, for the jobs created and the tremendous contributions they have made to growth in the region.
Consul General Matsumoto then introduced himself and spoke about the contributions of the Japan-America Society of Mississippi and other Japan-Mississippi organizations, as well as the role of the Consulate and its Economic Affairs Section, in supporting Japanese companies. CG Matsumoto also introduced JETRO, the Japan Foundation, and other organizations working to further the Japan-U.S. partnership.
The atmosphere was very warm and welcoming, and many attendees stopped by the Consul General's table after the address to thank him for his visit.