Japan Govt appoints first Honorary Consul of Japan in India as Mukesh Patel

NEW DELHI/TOKYO: The government of Japan has appointed its first Honorary Consul in India in the history of its 72 year-old diplomatic relations with India.  With this Mukesh Patel, President of Indo-Japan Friendship Association, Gujarat has become the first non-Japanese person in India to be appointed as the Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

As many as 20 countries like South Korea, Hungary, Czech Republic, Albania, Belize, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Moldova, Marshal Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Saint Lucia, Tonga, and Tuvalu have so far appointed their one of more Honorary Consul and Consul Generals in India. South Korea has four honorary Consul Generals in India in  addition to its regular Consulates. Japan with four Consulates headed by Consulate Generals in each city of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru did not have even a single Honorary position of Consul.

Mukesh Mangalbhai Patel (full name) stands as an eminent figure entrusted with the honorable responsibility of serving as an Honorary Consul, a role integral to fostering mutual cooperation and cultural exchange between Japan and regions where no Consulate-General office is established. In this case it is Ahmedabad. Honorary Consuls, like Mukesh Patel, play a pivotal role in representing Japan’s interests and facilitating increased business activities while also nurturing vibrant cultural exchanges within their respective regions.

His appointment for a five-year term has been made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan and a formal announcement this effect was made by the Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki at the Japan’s National Day Celebrations to commemorate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on Friday, February 23.

“I am happy to announce that Mukesh Patel has been appointed as the first Honorary Consul of Japan in India in Ahmedabad. With this appointment the friendship between the state of Gujarat and Japan will be enhanced,” Ambassador said in his address in the presence of Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs of India.

Later speaking with Asian Community News (ACN) Network, Ambassador said, “I had to work a lot but I am glad that I made it. The Ministry of External Affairs in India is very strict about appointing Honorary consuls. And it was not easy as the question was when Japan already has four Consul Generals in four cities – Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru, then why it needs honorary consul. For Japan, it is the first ever appointment of an Honorary Consul in India. He (Mukesh Patel) has been working so hard.”

Earlier on February 21 too the Consul General of Japan in Mumbai Dr. Yasukata Fukahori announced that this was Japan’s first appointment of an Honorary Consul in India. He said that Japan-India Diplomatic Relations, which started in 1952, have currently entered its 72nd Year.

In response to his appointment, Mukesh Patel remarked that he has been associated with Japan for over 51 years since his student days in 1972 and has worked with dedication for promoting the bilateral relations pioneering the vision and mission of making Gujarat the Mini-Japan of India.

The privileged status granted to him will further embolden him to carry forward this pursuit with added vigour. In 2017, Mukesh Patel was awarded the distinguished honour of the ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ by the Emperor of Japan in appreciation of his meritorious services for promotion of Japan India Friendship on academic, business and cultural fronts.

Patel has also played a key role in promoting the Hyogo-Gujarat Sister-State and Kobe-Ahmedabad Sister-City Relationships and in the setting up of the Japan Information & Study Centre, Language and Cultural Centres and the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at the Ahmedabad Management Association.

More about Mukesh Patel:

Mukesh Mangalbhai Patel, a luminary in the realm of international tax expertise, epitomizes a lifetime of dedication, service, and visionary leadership. Born on January 22nd, 1954, Mukesh Patel’s journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a profound commitment to fostering global understanding and cooperation.

With a distinguished academic background, Mukesh Patel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, a degree in Law, and is an accomplished Advocate. Embarking on his professional journey in 1977, he has since carved a niche for himself as a preeminent International Tax Expert, providing invaluable guidance and counsel for nearly five decades.

Residing in the vibrant city of Ahmedabad, Mukesh Patel’s abode serves as a testament to his stature and influence. Tax Planning House, located above the Usmanpura Underbridge, stands tall as a hub of intellectual exchange and strategic planning, symbolizing his unwavering dedication to his profession.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Mukesh Patel’s organizational affiliations and titles underscore his commitment to societal welfare and global diplomacy. Serving as the President of the Indo-Japan Friendship Association in Gujarat since 2005, his contributions to fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between India and Japan are unparalleled.

Moreover, his leadership roles in various esteemed organizations, including the Dehgam Taluka Education Society and the Indian Red Cross Society, reflect his deep-seated commitment to community development and humanitarian causes.

Mukesh Patel’s influence extends beyond the realms of taxation and philanthropy. As a director in leading listed companies such as Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. and Johnson Controls Hitachi India Ltd., he exemplifies strategic acumen and corporate stewardship.

His accolades, including the prestigious ‘Order of the Rising Sun – Gold Rays with Rosette’ from the Government of Japan, attest to his significant contributions to fostering bilateral relations and cultural exchange between India and Japan.

Furthermore, his visionary initiatives, such as the establishment of the Japan Information and Study Centre and the Zen Garden and Kaizen Academy at the Ahmedabad Management Association, stand as testaments to his commitment to promoting academic, business, and cultural ties between India and Japan.

Mukesh Patel’s pioneering role in nurturing alliances, fostering Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) for active cooperation, and engaging with the Japanese community in Ahmedabad highlight his potential to render meaningful services to the burgeoning Japanese presence in Gujarat.

In summary, Mukesh Mangalbhai Patel’s illustrious career, marked by unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to fostering global understanding and cooperation, cements his legacy as a trailblazer and a beacon of excellence in the field of international tax expertise and diplomatic relations with Japan.