Consul-General Karimata’s visit to Broome for the 55th Shinju Matsuri
2025/9/4
Consul-General Karimata visited Broome from August 30 to September 1, participating in the 55th Shinju Matsuri while he was there.
(1) Shinju Matsuri (31st August)
Consul-General Karimata addressed the festival-goers at the opening of the Floating Lantern Ceremony, speaking about the sister city relationship between Broome and Taiji Town in Wakayama Prefecture, and stating his hopes for a further deepening of the Japan-Australia friendship.
Perth-based Japanese drumming group, ‘Taiko On’, also participated in the event, enthralling the crowd with their wonderful performances.
Taiko On was recently the recipient of the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for 2025.
Perth-based Japanese drumming group, ‘Taiko On’, also participated in the event, enthralling the crowd with their wonderful performances.
Taiko On was recently the recipient of the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for 2025.
(2) Japanese Cemetery and Broome Historical Society & Museum (August 31)
Consul-General Karimata met with members of the local Japanese community at the Japanese cemetery, observing a moment of silence to pay his respects and lay a wreath. He also visited the Broome Historical Society & Museum, where he received a detailed explanation and tour of the fascinating artifacts and materials which are on display relating to Broome’s history and its connection with Japan.
(3) Meeting with Broome Councillors (September 1)
The Consul-General paid a courtesy call on the Broome Shire Office, meeting with Cr Philip Matsumoto, Cr Melanie Virgo, and Cr Sean Cooper. Consul-General Karimata expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Shire for their ongoing support of the Japanese community in Broome and of the Sister City exchange with Taiji Town in Wakayama.
Background: Historical links between Broome and Japan.
The relationship between Western Australia and Japan goes all the way back to the Meiji Era (1868-1912), when Japanese divers came to Broome to work in the pearling and pearl-shell industry, which were used for various purposes such as making buttons.
The Japanese community in Broome worked together with the Catholic Sisters on various projects such as building the hospital and school, making great contributions to the local community.
At the start of the 20th century the Japanese community in Broome had reached approximately 1000 people, making it the largest Japanese community at the time in Australia. As a result of this, in 1910 the Japanese Government appointed the Mayor of Broome, Mr Archie Male, as Honorary Consul to Japan to serve the interests of the Japanese residents. In 1923, Archie’s brother Arthur Male was appointed as the Honorary Consul, serving until the outbreak of war in the Pacific in the Second World War. In 1958, Arthur’s eldest son Sam Male was appointed as Honorary Consul, serving until 1971 (shortly after the establishment of the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth in 1967).
Due to many of the Japanese pearl divers being from Taiji Town in Wakayama Prefecture, Broome signed a sister city agreement with Taiji in 1981. Students from St Mary’s College in Broome and students from Taiji participate in cultural exchange programs, visiting each other’s towns every year.
The Japanese community in Broome worked together with the Catholic Sisters on various projects such as building the hospital and school, making great contributions to the local community.
At the start of the 20th century the Japanese community in Broome had reached approximately 1000 people, making it the largest Japanese community at the time in Australia. As a result of this, in 1910 the Japanese Government appointed the Mayor of Broome, Mr Archie Male, as Honorary Consul to Japan to serve the interests of the Japanese residents. In 1923, Archie’s brother Arthur Male was appointed as the Honorary Consul, serving until the outbreak of war in the Pacific in the Second World War. In 1958, Arthur’s eldest son Sam Male was appointed as Honorary Consul, serving until 1971 (shortly after the establishment of the Consulate-General of Japan in Perth in 1967).
Due to many of the Japanese pearl divers being from Taiji Town in Wakayama Prefecture, Broome signed a sister city agreement with Taiji in 1981. Students from St Mary’s College in Broome and students from Taiji participate in cultural exchange programs, visiting each other’s towns every year.