Join us for a Diplomatic Dialogue reception with Kenichi Matsuda, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta. After an hour of networking with beer, wine, and food, Consul General Matsuda and ACIR's Vice President of Diplomatic Relations Mark Pierson will discuss the work of the Consulate of Japan and the importantce of the Southeastern U.S.-Japan relationship. The Consulate of Japan in Atlanta covers Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The Diplomatic Dialogue attendees will be able to ask the Consul General questions. Remarks are off-the-record and cannot be recorded but social media posts are encouraged.
Date: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm. to 7:45 pm.
Venue: Barnes and Thornburg, 3340 Peachtree Road, Suite 2900. Atlanta, GA 30326
Parking: Is located in the Tower Place 100 Building in Buckhead and will be validated by Barnes & Thornburg. When using maps or ride share, give your driver or put into your GPS: "Tower Place 100".
Price: $15 Members (Including Members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Japan America Society of Georgia), $20 Non-members, $5 Students (GATech, Mercer, KSU, & UNG only).
Registration closes Friday, March 20th, 2026
You must pay online to register. For registration questions please contact registrar@atlantacir.org.
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, please do so no later than 48 hours before start of the event. NO refund can be provided after that.
By registering, I understand that photos and/or video may be taken at this program, and agree that these materials may be used for promotional purposes. Please contact the programming team with questions: registrar@atlantacir.org
Members are welcome to bring non-member friends to ACIR events at member rates. The same guest may only be invited once at member rates.
Thank you for supporting this ACIR event with your attendance.
For general information or questions about registration
email us at: registrar@atlantacir.org
About Consul General Kenichi Matsuda
Kenichi Matsuda was born in 1968 in Sasebo, Japan. He graduated form the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo passed the Higher Diplomatic Service Examination.
He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 1992. Over the years, he held roles both in Japan and overseas. In August 2000, he was assigned to the Embassy of Japan in Belgium. Later, he served as the Deputy Director of the Policy Coordination Division (May 2003), Deputy Director, then Principal Deputy Director of the European Policy Division (August and September 2024), and Principal Deputy Director of the United Nations Planning and Administration Division (March 2007).
In January 2009, Mr. Matsuda became Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan in France. He returned to Japan in January 2012 to serve as Deputy Chief of the Okinawa Liaison Office, and in August 2014, he became Director of the United Nations Planning and Administration Division. He was then posted as Minister to the Embassy of Japan in Germany (October 2016), followed by a similar role in France (July 2020).
In August 2022, Mr. Matsuda was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister at the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. In October 2025, Mr. Matsuda joined the Atlanta Consulate General as Consul General. He and his wife Yoko reside in Atlanta.
