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COLUMBUS — A chance meeting at a Rice University event has grown into an enduring friendship between a Japanese diplomat and the Columbus community.
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Atsushi Saito, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Japan in Belgrade, Serbia, and his wife, Makiko, during their third visit to Columbus.
Joining the Saitos during their visit were Barbara Peterman, the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year, and Ester Chandler, a Chamber ambassador, local history enthusiast and the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year.
The friendship began after Peterman and Atsushi Saito met while attending a Rice University event focused on Ukraine and the war in Ukraine. Seated at the same table, Peterman shared stories about Columbus and its rich history and invited Saito to visit the community.
That invitation led to Saito’s first visit on April 20, 2023, when he presented “Japan Today: Challenges, Alliances, and Opportunities” at the Stafford Opera House. The presentation was sponsored by the Nesbitt Memorial Library and AL&M Building Supply.
During that visit, Peterman and Chandler introduced Saito to several of Columbus’s historic landmarks, including the Colorado County Courthouse and the Stafford Opera House, and the group also visited Hound Song Brewing Co.
Saito and his wife enjoyed the experience so much that they have since returned twice to spend more time exploring Columbus and visiting with local residents.
Chamber officials said they appreciate the couple’s continued interest in the community and look forward to welcoming them back in the future.
