Consul General Sone paid a farewell visit to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church on July 23, 2025.

Archbishop Derderian expressed deep gratitude to Consul General Sone for his meaningful service and for fostering a spirit of genuine friendship between the Japanese-American and Armenian-American communities of Greater Los Angeles. Reflecting on their close collaboration over the years, His Eminence shared his hope that this strong foundation of cultural and diplomatic ties will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

In turn, Consul General Sone conveyed his sincere thanks to Archbishop Derderian for his steadfast support, vision, and spiritual leadership throughout their shared efforts.

At the conclusion of the visit, Archbishop Derderian presented Consul General Sone with a copy of “In Awe of Japan: First Impressions and Unforgettable Discoveries,” a commemorative book that captures the journey of the first-ever delegation of Armenian-American young leaders from Los Angeles to Japan through the KAKEHASHI Project. The gift served as a token of appreciation and a lasting memory of their shared efforts.

At the conclusion of the visit, Archbishop Derderian presented Consul General Sone with a copy of “In Awe of Japan: First Impressions and Unforgettable Discoveries,” a commemorative book that captures the journey of the first-ever delegation of Armenian-American young leaders from Los Angeles to Japan through the KAKEHASHI Project. The gift served as a token of appreciation and a lasting memory of their shared efforts.