Event Recap: International Business Association Japan Consulate Series Every year, the International Business Association hosts a diplomat to speak as part of their Consulate Series. With the mission of promoting knowledge and awareness within the field of international business, the series has previously hosted a diverse list of dignitaries, including Ambassador N. Parthasarathi, the current Consul General of India in San Francisco, as well as the former Vice Consul of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. This year, the IBA has co-hosted with the International Studies Student Association, Mr. Jun Niimi, the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles. A career diplomat whose international assignments include Kenya, Russia, and Iran, Niimi presented last Wednesday evening to an audience of about 125 CSULB students and faculty at The Pointe of the Walter Pyramid. Following a few words from Dr. Michael Solt, Dean of the College of Business Administration and a brief introduction by Lhea Villarreal, Honors member and IBA President, Niimi started his presentation, “How Japanes Investment Builds Southern California,” on a light note. Describing an exclusive sea-side resort near his hometown Yokohama, he revealed it to be named Oiso Long Beach. “Now I have finally visited Long Beach,” elicited laughter from the audience. From there, Niimis content turned from humorous to earnest, as he substantiated the massive Japanese business presence in Southern California, with 118,500 jobs supported by Japanese companies in LA County. Furthermore, Japan is the number two source of foreign investment in the United States. The investment isnt one-sided either; the U.S. is the single largest source of foreign investment in Japan. Additionally, there are a plethora of American companies that actively do business in Japan. “But there is one unforgivable exception,” Niimi fumed. He clicked forward in his presentation, bringing up a prominent picture of In-N-Out. The audiences amusement was tinged with sympathy. In closing his talk, Niimi said, “The level of collaboration and investment between Japan and the United States remains very strong and may be getting even stronger,” Niimi is well qualified to facilitate Japanese-American relations, accepting the ISSAs commemorative plaque and Dr. Galen Picketts original origami with beaming smiles and appreciation. Markedly considerate and enthusiastic, Mr. Jun Niimi showed more than facts and numbers; Niimi displayed the professionalism that drives diplomacy and international business. Albert Pham
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 23:41:27 +0000
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