Video: Tupelo Officials Give Consulate-General of Japan City Tour

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) — The City of Tupelo had a special visitor this afternoon.

Consulate-General of Japan Motohiko Kato spent the day in Tupelo.

Kato visited with Japanese-owned businesses, and was given a city tour by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton and other city officials.

The visit served as a way to encourage cross cultural programs and other events that can help Japanese business people and locals get to know each other better.

One idea from the meeting was a cherry blossom festival in the spring at Fairpark.

“It’s a lovely square,” Kato said. “So, Japanese business people love cherry blossom trees, so if the people plant cherry blossom trees, we will have a wonderful festival after April, U.S. people and Japanese people together celebrate the arrival of spring together.”

Next week, the Japan-America Society of Mississippi will host a reception at Mississippi State University’s Bost Conference Center.