SR712: SR712 Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta; recognize

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It marks the 52nd anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta and highlights the long relationship between Georgia and Japan, citing trade figures, business ties, cultural programs, and language education. The resolution states that Georgia and Japan currently trade $8.33 billion in imports and exports, that about 700 Japan affiliated offices in Georgia employ 40,000 people, and that the Consulate-General created Japan Fest in 1986. It also notes recent visits: Governor Brian Kemp traveled to Japan in October 2025, and Japan's ambassador to the United States visited Georgia in November 2025. The Senate formally commends the Consulate-General's work and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Consulate-General.

• Formally recognizes the 52nd anniversary of the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta on behalf of the Georgia Senate.
• Commends the Consulate-General for strengthening cultural, educational, political, and economic ties between Georgia and Japan.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta.
• Does not create any new law, funding, requirement, or penalty; it is a statement of recognition only.

The resolution directly names the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta, the Governor of Georgia, Japan's ambassador to the United States, and the Georgia Senate itself. It also touches Georgia public school students and college students studying Japanese and Georgia participants in Japan's JET exchange program.

The resolution carries no legal force and changes no Georgia law, but it is an official public statement by the state Senate honoring a diplomatic and economic relationship the text describes as involving $8.33 billion in trade and 700 Japan-affiliated employers in Georgia.

• The whereas clauses describe the Consulate-General's role in Georgia-Japan trade, cultural exchange, and support for Japanese citizens and companies in the Southeast.
• The resolution cites $8.33 billion in Georgia-Japan import and export trade and 700 Japan affiliated offices employing 40,000 people in Georgia.
• It notes the Consulate-General created Japan Fest in 1986, now the largest Japanese cultural festival in the Southeast.
• It references Governor Brian Kemp's October 2025 visit to Japan and Ambassador Yamada's November 2025 visit to Georgia.
• The resolving clause has the Senate formally recognize the anniversary and commend the Consulate-General's efforts.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Consulate-General.

1. 2026-02-06Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-02-05Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Frank Ginn (R, SD-047)Primary sponsor
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Blake Tillery (R, SD-019)
• Greg Dolezal (R, SD-027)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Jaha Howard (D, SD-035)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)

• Georgia-Japan relations
• ceremonial resolution
• international trade
• Consulate-General of Japan
• cultural exchange