Japanese consulate visits Southern
Jerry Manter

Managing Editor

It was a welcoming sight for a handful of international students when they were able to visit with Takao Shibata, the consulate general of Japan.

Shibata, who made his first visit to Missouri Southern Oct. 17, toured the campus, visited with students and learned about Southern s international program.

 I m impressed by the programs,  Shibata said.  It was a surprise. 

Shibata was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the new consul in July. His office in Kansas City is often considered to be a regional embassy. The office is one of 18 Consulate offices scattered around the United States and U.S. territories. Shibata serves Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Missouri.

 He knew little about the Missouri Southern State Campus, so it was important for us to show him the campus and international programs,  said Dr. Chad Stebbins, director of the Institute of International Studies.  It was a very beneficial visit to the campus. 

After lunch, Shibata met with a variety of campus officials in Spiva Art Gallery. Refreshments were served, but most of the people in attendance were busy trying to grab a moment with the Consulate.

 I was excited to see him,  said Hiromi Tateishi, sophomore business major with Ryukoku University.

Talking in Japanese, Tateishi spoke with Shibata about life on campus.

 He asked about life in Joplin and how it was going,  Tateishi said.

Shibata said he was impressed with Southern s focus on international business.

 We like the international business program to include Japan,  Shibata said.

Stebbins said Shibata s visit to Southern benefited the campus and especially the Institute.

 I think he was surprised to find a college in Southwest Missouri that would choose to study Japan,  Stebbins said.  It s all about building awareness for Missouri Southern and the International Program. 

The Kansas City office works with Japanese, Americans and foreign nationals in the areas of consular services, including the issuance of visas to Americans and foreign nationals to visit Japan and passports or other documents to Japanese nationals.

 We are there in Kansas City to help,  Shibata said.

Although it was only his second visit to Southwest Missouri, Shibata plans to continue visiting Southern.

 I m here to offer assistance,  he said.  My office wants to promote the study of Japan and the culture. 

Naoko/The Chart

Takao Shibata, Japanese consulate general, visited Southern Oct. 17.