Event Archives - Consular Office of Japan in Cairns

Emperor’s Birthday Reception 2018

On November 26th in Cairns, the Director/Consul of Japan in Cairns, Mr. Tetsumi Murata hosted a reception in celebration of the birthday His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

This year’s reception was well attended. Attending guests included consular officials, local government, tourism, education and private sector representatives.

During his speech, Director/Consul Mr. Murata spoke of the Emperor’s plans to abdicate on the 30th of April next year and of the enduring friendship between the people of Cairns and Japan.

Guest of honour Councillor Manning, Mayor of the Cairns Regional Council, gave an address highlighting the importance of the Sister city arrangements between Japan’s Minami and Oyama cities and Cairns.

The ballroom where the event was staged took on a distinctly Japanese character for the evening, with a traditional Hina Ningyo (Japanese dolls) display and a lively performance from the Cairns based ‘Mugen Infinity’ drum group.

Cairns Bon-Odori Dance Festival

The Consular Office of Japan in Cairns, in conjunction with the Japanese Society of Cairns, this year hosted the fifth Cairns Bon-Odori Dance Festival. Held on 2 September, the Bon-Odori marked the end of this year’s Cairns Festival schedule.

As part of the event Mr. Tetsumi Murata, Consul of Japan in Cairns and Cr. Bob Manning, Mayor of Cairns, both gave speeches and participated in ‘Mochi-tsuki’ a traditional rice-cake making performance popular at Festival’s throughout Japan. 

More information here: 
https://www.facebook.com/cairnsbondancefestival/

North Queensland Japanese Language Speech Competitions

The Japanese Language Speech Competitions were held on August 15 in Cairns and July 30 in Townsville respectively. Kindly organised by local Japanese teachers and supported by various schools and organisations, these events attracted a large number of enthusiastic students.

Mr. Tetsumi Murata, Consul of Japan in Cairns conveyed his best wishes to the participants of the Townsville competition and was able to attend in person to present the winners of the Cairns competition with their prizes.

Youth delegation from Minami - Sister City of Cairns

The Consular Office of Japan in Cairns was delighted to welcome a delegation of teachers and high-school students from Minami, Japan, on their recent visit to Cairns. Mr. Murata, Consul of Japan in Cairns, received the Youth delegation on 17 August and was pleased to answer numerous questions the students had on life in Cairns. During their stay the students also participated in a week long home-stay.