2025 Emperor's Birthday Celebration Reception (Perth)
2025/2/19
On February 14, the Emperor's Birthday Celebration Reception was held at the Consul-General's Official Residence. The reception this year was attended by the Hon. John Quigley MLA, Attorney General; Minister for Electoral Affairs (representing the Premier of Western Australia), the Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia, the Hon Michelle Roberts MLA, Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, The Hon. Martin Aldridge MLC (representing the Leader of the Opposition), Ms Libby Mettam MLA, Leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Perth Mr Basil Zempilas, members and officials of the Western Australian government, members of the consular corps, members of the Japan-Australia business community, think tanks and universities, cultural and friendship organizations, and approximately 340 guests.
The reception opened with a performance by local taiko drumming group "Taiko On," which was followed by the national anthems of Japan and Australia, sung by local Japanese opera singer Kosei Gilkes. Consul-General Naito then spoke (see his remarks here), mentioning that 2024 had been an opportunity to renew our commitment to the Japan-Australia friendship with various 50th-anniversary events. He also expressed his gratitude for the support during his tenure in Perth, stating that this year, with the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, people-to-people exchange will deepen further, and events like the AJBCC-JABCC Joint Business Conference will be held in Perth and will draw attention to the relationship between Japan and Western Australia.
Following the Consul-General, Minister Quigley spoke on behalf of the Government of Western Australia, speaking of his high expectations for the relationship with Japan, based on a long history of cooperation in natural resources to develop further in the coming year. The Hon MArtin Aldridge MLC, and the Hon Madeline King MP also said a few words, which was followed by the conferment ceremony for Mr Arun Radha Krishnan, recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.
The reception was made possible with the cooperation of various Japanese companies and related organizations. Exhibits included a model and video of the Mogami-class frigate by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a hydrogen fuel cell generator by Toyota Motor Corporation, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle Mirai, and the battery electric vehicle bZ4X. Additionally, products from Fukushima Prefecture (Fukushima Society in Perth and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings), Hyogo Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture (Perth Okinawa Association) , and Kagoshima City were provided/displayed, and beverages were provided by Sapporo Breweries, Ito En, Sanwa Shurui, and Nippon Food.
Furthermore, we showed videos introducing ANA, which operates direct flights between Perth and Narita, introduced videos promoting inbound tourism, the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and Japanese sake registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. As part of the promotion of Japanese culture, local Sake Samurai Andre Bishop introduced Japanese sake. Mr Osawa, the Consul-General's Residence chef and the team provided various Japanese dishes (with "TEN no TSUBU" rice from Fukushima Prefecture used for the sushi), and there were exhibits including Hina dolls, ikebana by a Perth Sogetsu Ikebana, bonsai by the Western Australian Bonsai Society, and a fish print lantern by local Gyotaku artist Salty Bones.
The many guests we welcomed to the reception were able to experience various aspects of Japan and feel the strong bond between Japan and Western Australia, as the event created an opportunity for the further development of the Japan-WA relationship in 2025.
Furthermore, we showed videos introducing ANA, which operates direct flights between Perth and Narita, introduced videos promoting inbound tourism, the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and Japanese sake registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. As part of the promotion of Japanese culture, local Sake Samurai Andre Bishop introduced Japanese sake. Mr Osawa, the Consul-General's Residence chef and the team provided various Japanese dishes (with "TEN no TSUBU" rice from Fukushima Prefecture used for the sushi), and there were exhibits including Hina dolls, ikebana by a Perth Sogetsu Ikebana, bonsai by the Western Australian Bonsai Society, and a fish print lantern by local Gyotaku artist Salty Bones.
The many guests we welcomed to the reception were able to experience various aspects of Japan and feel the strong bond between Japan and Western Australia, as the event created an opportunity for the further development of the Japan-WA relationship in 2025.
