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Japanese consul Matsumura bids farewell
After an assignment of 11 months, Japanese Consul Toshio Matsumura has bid farewell to Saipan.
Matsumura and his wife, Kyoko, hosted a farewell dinner last Friday night at the Fiesta Hall of the Grandvrio Resort in Garapan. The couple intends to fly out in April.
Matsumura said that, although he did not contribute as much as he would like, he did make many great memories in the CNMI.
Matsumura said he was greeted with warm and helping hands and hopes that the same treatment is given to his successor, who will be arriving in a month.
The consul who will replace Matsumura remains unknown.
Matsumura promised to maintain the bond between Saipan and Japan even after he leaves.
One of those present at the farewell dinner, Ms. Marianas Peachy Quitugua, told Saipan Tribune: “Its saddening that they have to leave. They contributed a lot…but I don’t think leaving will stop them from contributing to our community.”
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres shared a fond memory about a phone conversation he had with Matsumura before the consul came to Saipan. “Saipan needs Japanese tourists,” Torres told Matsumura before his arrival. According to Torres, since Matsumura’s arrival, the CNMI has seen an increase in the number of Japanese tourists in the CNMI. “For this next couple of months, we hope to see more Japanese tourists and investors come and that we continue to keep the bond between Saipan and Japan strong.”
After leaving Saipan, Matsumura intends to finally retire. Vice Consul Morishita Hirotsugu will temporarily be the acting Japanese consul. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
