Event Reports 2016

2021/11/30

Event Reports 2016

Emperor’s Birthday Reception 2016

On the evening of December 1st, a reception to celebrate the Emperor’s Birthday (a Japanese national holiday) was held at the Consul-General‘s Official Residence. Among the 260 guests that attended the Reception were His Excellency the Hon. Paul de Jersey AC. Governor of Queensland, Mrs Kaye de Jersey and the Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier, Ms Jennifer Howard MP.

The Governor of Queensland gave a short speech in which he mentioned that his trip to Japan in August was extremely meaningful. He also remarked that there has been a close relationship between Japan and Queensland over the years and that this relationship is expected to strengthen even further in the future.

In addition to the Governor of Queensland, his wife and Ms Jennifer Howard MP being treated to a Japanese Tea Ceremony, ikebana and bonsai were also on display around the Residence. Sushi made with koshihikari rice from Niigata Prefecture and a saké tasting corner were also on offer to promote Japanese food, which was very popular amongst the guests.

2016 National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies Conference in Cairns

The 2016 National Federation of Australia-Japan Societies Conference was held in the first week of September. Australia-Japan Societies from around the country gathered in Cairns for the two day event.

Following the President of National Federation of Australia Japan Societies, Mr Humpreys’ welcome and introduction, the opening remarks were made by the Chairman of the Australia-Japan Foundation (and Former Australian Ambassador to Japan) Mr Mclean. Mr Mclean spoke of the development of Japan-Australian relations post WWII, and in particular mentioned that the support given by the individual state Australia-Japan Societies during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake disaster contributed towards further development of the Japan-Australia relationship.

Other keynote speakers introduced a number of important topics ranging from adapting to the rapidly changing environment of global business and the future/innovations of the world’s tourist locations, to global health and medical research and the development of smart (functional) housing for senior living.

2016 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme Farewell Reception

The 2016 Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme participants were bid farewell at a reception held by the Consul-General of Japan in Brisbane last Friday, the 22nd July. The participants were presented with a light buffet featuring Japanese cuisine, while kind and encouraging speeches were given.

This year, Queensland sent off 23 participants all together: 21 Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and 2 Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). Participants will first fly to Tokyo before heading to their individual posts right across Japan. They will be placed from as far north as Hokkaido, right down to Kyushu in the south. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the successful JET Programme, which has seen 63,000 participants from around the world (4000 from Australia) head to Japan to live and work within the local communities.

Reception welcoming Japanese Super Rugby Team the Sunwolves

The Sunwolves, the Japanese team participating in Super Rugby from this year, visited Brisbane this May for their match against the Queensland Reds. The Consul-General of Japan hosted a reception at his residence on 20 May to bring together players and staff of both teams as well as those in sporting circles, with 60 people attending.

The head coaches and captains of both teams attended the reception and expressed their expectations for the upcoming match. They commented that they will be using all their power to make the match an exciting contest for the fans. Queensland Reds fullback Ayumu Goromaru and flanker Hendrik Tui, both members of the Japanese national team, also attended the reception.


The Consul-General welcomes the two teams.

Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

Consul-General of Japan Mr Hidehiro Hosaka presented Mr Chris Saines, Director of Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), a commendation award on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs at a reception held on Wednesday, 23 March.

Since holding its first Japanese print exhibition in 1963, QAGOMA has introduced the diversity of Japanese culture focussing on modern Japanese art through exhibitions such as the Asia Pacific Triennial (APT) and curatorial exchanges with the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama in commemoration of the formation of the Queensland – Saitama Sister State relationship. As a result this has contributed to the enhancement of mutual understanding between Japan and Australia, and made a significant contribution to the promotion of friendship and goodwill between the two countries.

Representing the Premier of Queensland was the Honourable Grace Grace MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, who offered her congratulations to QAGOMA on being awarded this prestigious commendation.


Conferment upon Mr Chris Saines, Director of QAGOMA	From left: The Hon Grace Graice MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Prof Sue Street, Chair of QAG, Mr Chris Saines, Director of QAGOMA, and Consul-General Mr Hosaka

Australia-Japan Security Panel Discussion

On February 24th an audience of approximately 150 people attended a panel discussion co-hosted by Griffith University entitled ‘Australia-Japan Security Relations in a Changing Region’ at the State Library of Queensland.

The five panelist included Ambassador Toshiro Iijima, Policy Planning and International Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, Ms Mami Mizutori, Executive Director, Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, UK, Mr Murray McLean AOM, former Australian Ambassador to Japan and current chair of the Australia Japan Foundation and Member of the Board of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee, Professor Rikki Kersten, Dean, School of Arts, Murdoch University and Professor Andrew O’Neil, Head of School, School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University.

Topics included the Australia-Japan security relations, discussions around the South China Sea and, North Korea situation and other security issues followed up with several question and answer sessions with audience members.

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Watch the "Q&A Panel Event" YouTube video.
Listen the "Australia, Japan and a changing region" Big Ideas, ABC　Radio National.

New Year Celebration Reception

A New Year Celebration Reception was held at the Consul-General’s residence on January 29th. About 90 people attended the reception and included representatives from Japanese associations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with Japanese tourism, cultural and educational associates.

Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays upon Ms Susan Roberts

On the 22nd of January Consul-General Mr Hosaka on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays upon Ms Susan Roberts in her birthplace of Townsville.

The “Orders of the Rising Sun’ was established in 1875 as Japan’s first award and is conferred upon those who have provided distinguished service between their nation and Japan.

Ms Roberts was appointed chairman of the Townsville Sister City Committee by the Mayor in 1990 and held this position for 20 years. During this time Ms Roberts has been instrumental in initiating and managing more than 40 student exchanges on a primary, secondary and university level as well as innumerable cultural and tourist group visits and people-to-people integration between Townsville’s two Japanese Sister Cites Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokuyama City (Shunan City) in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Ms Roberts other distinguished contributions also include the first International Women’s Conference held in 2000 in cooperation with Aichi Prefecture’s Governor of the time, Mizue Maeda. Delegates from Korea, Australia, China and Japan also attended this very successful and globally uplifting event.

Ms Roberts was congratulated at the reception by the Minister of Justice and past Mayor of Iwaki City, Mr Mitsuhide Iwaki, Mr Toshio Shimizu, current Mayor of Iwaki City, Ms Penelope Wenzuri, former Governor of Queensland, Senator Ian McDonald and Jenny Jill, Mayor of Townsville.


Conferment upon Ms Susan Roberts	From left: Ms Penelope Wenzuri, former Governor of QLD, Consul-General Mr Hosaka, Ms Susan Roberts & Ms Jenny Hill, Mayor of Townsville	From Left: Consul-General Mr Hosaka, Ms Susan Roberts & Senator Ian McDonald