Remarks by Consul-General NAITO Yasushi at the Opening Ceremony of 2023 Perth Japan Festival
令和5年4月4日
Partners, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Perth Japan Festival 2023. This is 9th Japan Festival in Perth and the first time at the Supreme Court Gardens. Perth Japan Festival started in 2014 at Forrest Place and expanded bigger each year with great response from public.
We have wonderful progress of bilateral relations between Japan and Australia especially with Western Australia, including the visit of Prime Minister Kishida last year October to Perth followed by Premier Mark McGowan's visit to Japan with an announcement of resumption of Perth Tokyo direct flight later this year. Minister Bill Johnston has just came back from Japan last week.
But most importantly, this state of bilateral relations is based upon shared values and respects supported by our friendship and trust forged over the years through people-to-people bonds.
We are blessed with so many goodwill ambassadors and talented enthusiasts, practitioners and even masters of Japanese cultural activities and martial arts here in Perth. And today Japan Festival is the opportunity to celebrate and share the beauty of aspects of Japanese culture ranging from traditional ones to pop culture.
This year, we welcomed Ms Noriko Tadano, a famous vocalist and Tsugaru Shamisen performer, coming from Adelaide to perform for us. We are also be featuring ‘Bon Odori’ (Bon dance) for the first time in Perth. It is a community dance at Japanese summer festivals throughout Japan during Obon season when we receive spirits of ancestors back home. People in Japan have special nostalgic and yet exciting feeling when we hear the sound of Bon Odori.
I will tell you the secret of enjoying Bon Odori. Join in the circle and participate dancing rather than watching it from distance. It is easy and trust me it is fun! You well enjoy the sense of togetherness in the circle and that is the essence of ‘Matsuri’, Japanese Festival.
When I insisted to perform ‘Dai Tokyo Ondo’, Dance Song for Great Tokyo that is where I am from, Bon Odiri members insisted that we should have one for Perth. Their love for Perth was so strong that with the effort of talented members, Perth Ondo was born.
Song lyrics written Mr Otohiko Fuji in 1992 and composed this time by Ms Setsuko Hayashi. The song was sang by Sanshi and visiting artist Ms Noriko Tadano, and dance was choreographed by Mcarthure Chisato. It is basically saying “Perth is a great place you should come.”
There will also be performances by local musical groups including ‘wadaiko’ drumming group Taiko-On, TIDA Okinawa dance, Japanese martial arts groups including Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Kyudo, Kyokushin Karate, Shorinji Kempo, Kobudo. From traditional culture side we have Tea Ceremony sessions, Ikebana, Bonsai, Shodo, Kimono experience, and even Shigin recitation of poems. We also have pop culture artists including cosplay performers and character goods shops.
If you’re interested in getting to know more about Japan, please visit various information and cultural booths of local groups, including travel and study in Japan run by Consulate-General’s team. Claire team from Sydney will tell you about JET program and sister city relations arrangement.
When you get hungry, there are plenty of Japanese taste to enjoy. We’ll have food stalls of dishes ranging from Sushi, Ramen and Katsu Curry, to Japanese street food such as Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Taiyaki, Isobeyaki, Wataame (fairy floss) and Kakigori (shaved ice).
So, we have something for every members of family to enjoy.
Lastly but not least, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all the sponsors. Without your generous support, this wonderful opportunity for interactions was not possible.
In concluding, let us all have fun today and widen the circle of friendship.
End
After the opening remarks by the guests below, ‘Kagami wari’ - Sake Barrel Breaking Open Ceremony was held at the stage, wishing for happiness, harmony and continued friendship among the peoples of Japan and Western Australia.
Ms Freda Ogilbie
Ms Christine Tonkin MLA, on behalf of The Hon Dr Tony Buti, Minister of
Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multi-Cultural interests
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski MLA, Co-Chair of Western Australian
Parliamentary Friendship Group of Japan
Mr UEDA Yosuke, President of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
in Perth, President of Japanese Society in Western Australia
Mr Sean O’Hanlon, General Manager, Rio Tinto
Ms Andrea Galt, General Manager, Woodside
Mr NAITO Yasushi, Consul-General of Japan in Perth
It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Perth Japan Festival 2023. This is 9th Japan Festival in Perth and the first time at the Supreme Court Gardens. Perth Japan Festival started in 2014 at Forrest Place and expanded bigger each year with great response from public.
We have wonderful progress of bilateral relations between Japan and Australia especially with Western Australia, including the visit of Prime Minister Kishida last year October to Perth followed by Premier Mark McGowan's visit to Japan with an announcement of resumption of Perth Tokyo direct flight later this year. Minister Bill Johnston has just came back from Japan last week.
But most importantly, this state of bilateral relations is based upon shared values and respects supported by our friendship and trust forged over the years through people-to-people bonds.
We are blessed with so many goodwill ambassadors and talented enthusiasts, practitioners and even masters of Japanese cultural activities and martial arts here in Perth. And today Japan Festival is the opportunity to celebrate and share the beauty of aspects of Japanese culture ranging from traditional ones to pop culture.
This year, we welcomed Ms Noriko Tadano, a famous vocalist and Tsugaru Shamisen performer, coming from Adelaide to perform for us. We are also be featuring ‘Bon Odori’ (Bon dance) for the first time in Perth. It is a community dance at Japanese summer festivals throughout Japan during Obon season when we receive spirits of ancestors back home. People in Japan have special nostalgic and yet exciting feeling when we hear the sound of Bon Odori.
I will tell you the secret of enjoying Bon Odori. Join in the circle and participate dancing rather than watching it from distance. It is easy and trust me it is fun! You well enjoy the sense of togetherness in the circle and that is the essence of ‘Matsuri’, Japanese Festival.
When I insisted to perform ‘Dai Tokyo Ondo’, Dance Song for Great Tokyo that is where I am from, Bon Odiri members insisted that we should have one for Perth. Their love for Perth was so strong that with the effort of talented members, Perth Ondo was born.
Song lyrics written Mr Otohiko Fuji in 1992 and composed this time by Ms Setsuko Hayashi. The song was sang by Sanshi and visiting artist Ms Noriko Tadano, and dance was choreographed by Mcarthure Chisato. It is basically saying “Perth is a great place you should come.”
There will also be performances by local musical groups including ‘wadaiko’ drumming group Taiko-On, TIDA Okinawa dance, Japanese martial arts groups including Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Kyudo, Kyokushin Karate, Shorinji Kempo, Kobudo. From traditional culture side we have Tea Ceremony sessions, Ikebana, Bonsai, Shodo, Kimono experience, and even Shigin recitation of poems. We also have pop culture artists including cosplay performers and character goods shops.
If you’re interested in getting to know more about Japan, please visit various information and cultural booths of local groups, including travel and study in Japan run by Consulate-General’s team. Claire team from Sydney will tell you about JET program and sister city relations arrangement.
When you get hungry, there are plenty of Japanese taste to enjoy. We’ll have food stalls of dishes ranging from Sushi, Ramen and Katsu Curry, to Japanese street food such as Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Taiyaki, Isobeyaki, Wataame (fairy floss) and Kakigori (shaved ice).
So, we have something for every members of family to enjoy.
Lastly but not least, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all the sponsors. Without your generous support, this wonderful opportunity for interactions was not possible.
In concluding, let us all have fun today and widen the circle of friendship.
End
After the opening remarks by the guests below, ‘Kagami wari’ - Sake Barrel Breaking Open Ceremony was held at the stage, wishing for happiness, harmony and continued friendship among the peoples of Japan and Western Australia.
Ms Freda Ogilbie
Ms Christine Tonkin MLA, on behalf of The Hon Dr Tony Buti, Minister of
Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multi-Cultural interests
Mrs Jessica Stojkovski MLA, Co-Chair of Western Australian
Parliamentary Friendship Group of Japan
Mr UEDA Yosuke, President of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
in Perth, President of Japanese Society in Western Australia
Mr Sean O’Hanlon, General Manager, Rio Tinto
Ms Andrea Galt, General Manager, Woodside
Mr NAITO Yasushi, Consul-General of Japan in Perth