By Rui Hu, iChongqing News

Chongqing- Michihiko Komatsu, Consul General of Japanese Consulate in Chongqing, retired and left Chongqing in end of March 2019. After one and half year work in Chongqing, he left reluctantly with impressive memories. iChongqing has interviewed with Mr. Komatsu for several times in different events, thanks to his great efforts, it is glad to see the closer connection between Japan and Chongqing.

Before Mr. Komatsu`s leaving, iChongqing conducted a farewell exclusive interview with him at Japanese Consulate in Chongqing. He shared some significant moment during his stay in Chongqing. “I started my Chongqing Dairy since I took office in Chongqing, unfortunately, I could not finish the hotpot challenge,” Mr. Komatsu said with a laugh, “only very slightly spicy I could ever taste still.”

iChongqing conducted the farewell exclusive interview with Michihiko Komatsu, Consul General of Japanese Consulate in Chongqing

Good Cooperation Story Means More 

“The Memorial Wall of CRT (Chongqing Railway Transit) Line 2 in Futuguan Station was a meaningful thing I remember during my work in Chongqing.” when asked about what were the significances during his one and half year experience in Chongqing, Mr. Komatsu indicated, “I found it is a great cooperation between China and Japan to build Line 2 together, it was a good story more than a decade ago.”

Nevertheless, few people know there was a Memorial Wall near the Futuguan station to show the builder`s information. “I found that Wall was dirty and inconspicuous firstly, after asking help from Chongqing Foreign and Overseas Office and relative government, we planned to re-build the Wall. Several months later, the Memorial Wall was renewed in last October, and it is now brand new with an introduction and handprint of builders from Japan and China”, Mr. Komatsu said. Compared with other cultural unilaterally interaction event, he thought China and Japan cooperate to build rail transit is more meaningful. He wishes more local people know about this good cooperation story, and he hopes local cultural and commercial exchange could be eventually frequent among people in Chongqing and Japan.

Children are the Future 

Besides the Memorial Wall, Mr. Komatsu found the series activities of “Young Journalists” were really impressive to him. The series activities of Young Journalists refers to the group of students from primary schools participated in Japanese Consulate`s activities. The activities include the introduction of Japan, playing Japanese traditional games, and interviewing with Consul General. The series activities held for 7 times in 2018.

Students play Japanese traditional game in Renmin Primary School

“Young Journalists will imitate adults to ask questions about their consciousness of Japan, for example, one of them asked questions about the garbage classification, which shows they had well-prepared for the event,” he said. To communicate with children, Mr. Komatsu is patient and willing to listen from them. “One time I was surprised by a child’s comment when I randomly asked their feelings of the Young Journalists Day. A boy answered with courage ‘I used to think Japanese are ferocious but today I learned I was wrong.’ It was strongly surprised me, why he would think in that way? It might be the cultural misunderstanding or something misleading it”, Mr. Komatsu suggested, “children are really important, they are the future to maintain the friendly relationship between Japan and China.” 

Japanese drum performance in Renmin Primary School in Mar. 2019

unique charming power

When talking about Chongqing, Mr. Komatsu was excited to say that he is willing to recommend his friend and family to go and visit. “I love Chongqing, such a lovely city. When speaking of tourism of Chongqing, many would think of Three Gorges, I took the cruise and visit it last year. I found the Baidi City would be a great point to promote Three Gorge. Japanese love the story of the Three Kingdom, and they would be interested in Baidi City. Besides that, I think downtown Chongqing has nice food, gorgeous night view, beautiful skyline, and the CRT Line 2 is a popular spot… all of these points indicated Chongqing city itself has the most charming power for tourists around the world”,  Mr. Komatsu said. Although he could not finish his “hotpot challenge” in Chongqing, he heard that spicy Chinese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular in Japan, “I will continue my spicy challenge after returning back Japan, I hope I can enjoy hotpot in Chongqing next time when I come back.”