Event Archives - Consular Office of Japan in Cairns
2025/3/28
2025
Visit to Minami town
Prior to taking up my new assignment, I had the opportunity to visit one of Cairns’, Sister Cities in Japan, Minami Town, in Tokushima Prefecture. Minami Town is proud of the long history it shares with the City of Cairns, celebrating 50 years of engagement, in recent years.During my visit I spoke with the Mayor of Minami, Mr. KAGEJI and other officials about a variety of topics. Amongst other matters, Mayor KAGEJI shared with me, his plans for further development of international exchange.
I am looking forward to speaking with representatives of the Cairns Regional Council about what I learnt over the course of my business trip to Minami Town.
Meeting with the Mayor of MINAMI Town, Mr.KAGEJI, February 19, 2025, 15:30.
The Mayor has visited Cairns on a number of occasions and looks forward to further strengthening relations with Cairns’, through Sister City exchange activities. During my visit, the Mayor noted that it was the first time an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had paid an official visit to the Town of Minami. During my short stay, the Mayor arranged for me to attend an inspection, meet with management and attend a liaison and coordination session. I learnt a great deal from this experience, having the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders was particularly fruitful.
* Mayor KAGEJI is seated to the left.
Liaison and coordination session with Administrators from the Town of Minami, February 20, 09:00. Discussions centred around the management of Sister City exchange.
At this meeting, both Deputy Mayor, Mr. ISONO and Director of the Sea Turtle Museum Caretta, Mr. HIRADE, made presentations and introduced topics. The following points were discussed, in relation to Sister City exchange with the City of Cairns, in Queensland Australia.
- Inclusion of the paintings of 6th grade children at Hiwasa Elementary School, in the Cairns Children’s Festival exhibition
- Global Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (Plans for a visit to Cairns by Junior High School Students)
- Large scale renovation of the Sea Turtle Museum Caretta. Possibilities for collaboration with Cairns.
There were opportunities for all participants to contribute to the discussion and communicate their ideas on to make further progress on the topics.
*Mr.Higashimoto, Mr.ISONO/Vice-Mayor (from left on the opposite side of the table)
3 Visit to the Sea Turtle Museum Caretta. The Museum is currently undergoing renovation and is due for completion in July 2025. Mr. HIRADE, Director of the Museum, delivered a passionate speech about the environmentally friendly design of the new Museum and the efficiencies that have been achieved. The extensive research Mr. HIRADE has undertaken in preparation for this project, has contributed extensively to its innovative design.
2024
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2023
Cairns Bon Dance Festival
On 12 August, the 9th Cairns Bon Dance Festival, hosted by this Office and the Japanese Society of Cairns, was held.
During the event, Mr. GOMAKUBO Junji, Consul-General of Japan in Brisbane, and Cnr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns, made speeches and performed Mochi-tsuki, a traditional rice-cake making performance.
