The new post provides support for Swiss citizens, strengthens Switzerland’s presence in this important prefecture, and fosters exchanges in the field of tourism, sport, agriculture, science and sustainability. Ms. Tomoka TAKEUCHI, a native of Higashikawa in central Hokkaido, has taken her functions as Honorary Consul of Switzerland. We congratulate her wholeheartedly and thank her for her commitment!
Known for its natural scenery, generous snowfalls and agricultural production, the vast prefecture of Hokkaido is home to some 5.22 million people and represents more than a fifth of Japan’s territory. Hokkaido features numerous ski resorts that are ever more popular among winter sports enthusiasts, including Swiss visitors. Exchanges in this sector are long-standing. The sister city agreement between St. Moritz and Kutchan, for instance, dates back to 1964. There is potential for Switzerland and Hokkaido to further strengthen their partnership in the fields of hospitality, sports, sustainability and agriculture. Advanced manufacturing and academic research are also increasingly in focus. The Honorary Consulate will contribute to accelerating these developments.
Other tasks of the Honorary Consulate include support for Swiss citizens in need, support in cases of consular protection and social assistance, life certificates for Old Age Pensions, support for the Embassy in crisis situations, support for the preparation of official visits, and the development of a local network.
On May 10, over 110 guests from the fields of business, tourism, science, innovation, agriculture and media, as well as Swiss citizens and friends of both countries, gathered in Higashikawa to celebrate the opening. In her inaugural address, Honorary Consul Takeuchi highlighted her long-standing engagement with Switzerland, our shared commitment for performance and quality, and the strength and resilience of friendship with Swiss people.
Before the official speeches, collaborations between Hokkaido University and Swiss research institutions in glacier and high-altitude science were presented as examples of a long-standing relationship in the fields of higher education and research. The program was competed with a presentation on sustainable tourism and a yodel performance.
Olympic Medalist Tomoka Takeuchi is a leading figure in snowboard competition with strong ties to Switzerland. A Silver Medalist at the Sochi Games of 2014 and a Bronze Medalist at the 2015 World Championships, Ms. Takeuchi’s appearance at the 2022 Beijing Olympics marked her sixth participation in the Games, a record in the history of women’s Winter Olympics. Since 2007, Tomoka Takeuchi has been training with the Swiss Alpine Snowboard Team, spending several months per year in Switzerland and becoming fluent in German. For the next phase of her career, Tomoka Takeuchi wants to leverage her passion for sport, education and tourism, including in the context of the Swiss-Japanese friendship. She is also an ambassador for Vitality.Swiss, the public diplomacy program of the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, which celebrates 160 years of bilateral relations in 2024.
Press release
