Inaugural visit by the new Japanese Consul General Takeshi Ito

The new Japanese Consul General Takeshi Ito met Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke for an inaugural visit to Offenbach City Hall on Tuesday, 22 April. Ito, who has headed the Consulate General of Japan in Frankfurt am Main since November 2024, took the opportunity to honor the long-standing friendship between Japan and Offenbach and to thank the city for its diverse support.

"It is important to me to thank you personally for the close and trusting cooperation," said Consul General Ito. "Strong relations between our countries are more important than ever." Mayor Schwenke agreed with the Consul General: "Cities cannot ensure world peace - but our work lays the foundation for peace and freedom. This also includes promoting exchange between Offenbach and our Japanese twin city Kawagoe, for example through school exchanges or the IHK exchanges." Schwenke also thanked Ito and his staff for their many years of close cooperation with the consulate.

Other topics of discussion included the situation of Japanese companies, the city's support for Japanese cultural events such as Cherry Blossom Day and the Main Matsuri Festival, as well as the success of Offenbach's Samurai judo club, which competes in the premier league.

Consul General Ito reported positive feedback from Japanese companies about the cooperation with the City of Offenbach and the Lord Mayor. Schwenke assured him that this would continue to be very important to him in the future and promised support whenever necessary.

Both sides reaffirmed their desire to further deepen their friendly relations.