For the first diplomatic member introduction, I would like to welcome the new Consul General of Japan in Seattle, Hisao Inagaki.
Hisao was appointed as Consul General of Japan in Seattle in July 2020 after serving as Director of Internet Public Relations Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Hisao first joined the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1985 following graduation from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in the field of information systems management.
Having Master of Science degrees from both the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1985 and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991, Hisao is a perfect fit in Seattle as a career “techie”. Hisao’s always been fascinated with artificial intelligence in particular and has played a key role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs digital transformation process.
Along with his extensive experience in the field of information systems, Hisao has developed considerable expertise in Japan-US bilateral relations working for 10 years in the North American bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with separate postings in Boston, Washington, DC, Chicago and now Seattle. His overseas travels have included Switzerland, France, German the UK, and the Caribbean.
Hisao grew up in the area near the historic Ise Shrine in beautiful Mie Prefecture where the G-7 summit was held four years ago. Hisao is married, and has a daughter who attended junior high school in the Chicago area and is now at Tokyo University of Science. Hisao enjoys skiing when he gets the chance so will hopefully be exploring our Northwest ski areas soon.
Hisao’s focus while in Seattle is on our region’s IT and clean tech sectors and the potential for more Japanese companies to get involved here. His office will be organizing trade promotion events while Hisao is stationed here. Hisao’s also very interested in the Japanese-American experience in our region and he looks forward to learning more about this history as well as meeting many new people.
