The Consular Office of Japan in Cairns

Consul-General Tanaka Hosts Emperor’s Birthday Reception 2021

On March 5th, Consul-General Tanaka hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception in Cairns. He wished for the continued strengthening of our bilateral relations. Many Cairns community representatives attended the reception including members of the Cairns Regional Council, State Legislative Assembly, and members of the Japanese community. The Consul-General’s full address can be found here. During the Reception, Mrs. Sim Hayward, the Ambassador for Cairns Sister Cities and Cairns School of Distance Education were awarded the Consul-General’s Commendation for their contributions to deepening the Japan-Australia relationship and in the case of Cairns School of Distance Education for it’s devotion to Japanese Language Education.

 

 

Director Uchida visits Cairns School of Distance Education

On January 27, Director Uchida visited the Cairns School of Distance Education and met with Principal, Mr. Andrew Oliver and his staff. He also had a conversation with a student learning Japanese over the internet.
 

 

Director Uchida’s visit to Queensland Police Service

On January 12th, Director Uchida visited Mr. Brian Huxley, Chief Superintendent of the Far North Queensland District of the Queensland Police Service and exchanged views on public safety and the coronavirus situation in the Cairns region.

 

Origami Workshop for Language Teachers

Director Uchida hosted an origami workshop for Cairns foreign language teachers, on November 27. The group of Japanese, Italian, Chinese and Indonesian teachers, including a number of participants from Distance Education, all enjoyed folding a wide variety of origami together.
 

 

FNQ-Japan Week "A celebration of Japanese Culture"

From November 3rd and in connection with Culture Day in Japan, the Consular Office of Japan in Cairns is going to have an ‘ONLINE’ Japanese Culture Week, named “FNQ-Japan Week”.
The reason for this, the annual “Cairns Bon-Odori Festival”, one of the area’s most important Japanese cultural events was cancelled this year.
At 3pm every day, for eight days, from the 1st to the 8th of November, we will upload videos introducing Japanese culture.

We hope you enjoy it and pass it on to your family and friends.

Please take a moment to fill in our questionnaire and let us know what you think.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyf41zlxKNJh5saLl9Cn8ZCCP-7lDjRhShPMmtRa79lnL8ZQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

Click here for further details: https://www.brisbane.au.emb-japan.go.jp/downloads/Cairns/Flyer.pdf

 

Origami Workshop

On October 14, Consul Uchida hosted a workshop at the Cairns Art Gallery, sharing his passion for Origami with a group of more than twenty participants. As part of the event, participants spent an enjoyable evening folding origami and contributing to a joint artwork that culminated in the creation of a Bascetta star (as pictured).

 

Ninja House

For their term 3 assignment, Cairns State High School students created a Japanese House called Ninja House. They created diorama house models using recycling materials. Aren’t they wonderful! These dioramas are now displayed at the Consular Office’s foyer.  

 

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations

On September 26 AEST (September 25 New York time), Mr. SUGA Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan, delivered his statement at the General Debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Prime Minister Suga’s statement can be viewed here: pre-recorded video

On September 22 AEST (September 21 New York time), the High-level Meeting to Commemorate the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the United Nations was held and the “Declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations” was adopted.
The statement by Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, for this meeting can be viewed here: pre-recorded video

Tablelands Japanese Speaking Competition

On September 2, the Tablelands Japanese Speaking Competition was held at Malanda State High School. This year’s Cairns Japanese Language Speech Competition was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, but 52 students from seven schools across the Tablelands attended the Competition in Malanda, which was supported by the Japanese Consular Office in Cairns. Congratulations to the winners!
 

Introduction to Japanese Culture at Country Women’s Association Meeting in Atherton

The Country Women's Association, Atherton Tableland Division, held an International Day event on August 7. Their country of study for this year is "Japan". The event included a koto performance of traditional Japanese music pieces by a local Japanese resident, a kimono display and the opportunity to sample a variety of Japanese food, including desserts prepared by a Japanese sweets artisan. In support of this event, the Japanese Consular Office in Cairns provided a delightful display of origami works and a number of informative pamphlets introducing Japanese culture.
 

Director Akira Uchida’s Courtesy Call on The Honorable Warren Entsch, Member for Leichhardt

On June 30^th, Director Uchida paid a courtesy call on Member for Leichhardt, The Honorable Warren Entsch. There was an exchange of views on the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for Cairns tourism and the ongoing deepening of friendly ties between Japan and Australia. 
 

Visits by Cairns State High School Students

On March 4^th, students from the Cairns State High School visited the Consulate Office of Japan in Cairns. Director Uchida briefed the students on diplomatic and consular business issues and had fruitful discussion on various matters.

Consul-General Tanaka’s Visit to the Cairns Japanese Language Tutorial Centre

On February 29th, Consul-General and Mrs. Tanaka visited the Cairns Japanese Language Tutorial Centre, observed the class and mingled with the students. They also met with the Principal and Members of the Board to exchange views on the school’s ongoing progress.
 

Consul-General Tanaka Hosts Emperor’s Birthday Reception

On February 28th, Consul-General Tanaka hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception in Cairns; the first in the Reiwa era. He wished for the continued strengthening of our bilateral relations and made loyal toasts together with Cr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns, for the future development of the two countries. Many Cairns community representatives attended the reception including members of the Cairns Regional Council, State Legislative Assembly, and members of the Japanese society. The Consul-General's full address can be found here
 

Consul- General Tanaka’s Visit to Cairns

From 27th to 29th February, the Consul-General and Mrs. Tanaka visited Cairns and met Cr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns, Mr. Michael Healy, MP (ALP) for Cairns electorate, and Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, Acting Chief, Far Northern District, Queensland Police Service. During their stay, Consul-General and Mrs. Tanaka visited the Memorial of Ms. Michiko Okuyama and the Cairns Japanese Language Tutorial Centre. At the Centre the Consul-General took the opportunity to mingle with students. On the 28th, Consul-General Tanaka hosted the Emperor’s Birthday Reception and interacted with Cairns community representatives, strengthening the strong foundation of lasting friendship between the people of Japan and Cairns.
 

Director Akira Uchida’s Courtesy Call on Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, District Officer of the Far North District, Queensland Police Service

On February 18th, Director Akira Uchida paid a courtesy call on Acting Chief Superintendent Geoff Sheldon, District Officer of the Far North District, Queensland Police Service. They exchanged views on the security situation in Cairns and the protection of Japanese citizens and tourists in Far North Queensland.
 

Director Akira Uchida's Courtesy Call on Cr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns Regional Council

On February 10^th, Director Akira Uchida paid a courtesy call on Cr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns Regional Council. They discussed the strong relationship between Japan and Cairns and exchanged views on how they may continue to deepen these ties in the future.

Director Uchida also took the opportunity to bring the recent bushfire fundraising efforts of the local Japanese Community to the attention of the Mayor. 
 

Director Akira Uchida's Courtesy Call on State Member for Cairns, Mr. Michael Healy

On February 10^th, Director Akira Uchida, paid a courtesy call on State Member for Cairns, Mr. Michael Healy. The frank discussion between the two individuals focused on the importance of strengthening economic relations between Japan and Cairns, on the promotion of tourism and on the importance of fostering friendship between Japan and Australia. The significant benefits of Sister City agreements were also discussed.

Director Uchida made mention of the recent fundraising activities conducted by the resident Japanese Community and in addition discussed the Japanese Government’s efforts to support Australia during the recent bushfire events.