Event Reports 2018

2020/6/4

Event Reports 2018

Emperor’s Birthday Reception 2018

On the 3rd of December, our valued friends and colleagues gathered at the Consul-General’s Official Residence to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

The evening was well attended with over 260 guests, greeted warmly with an address from His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, and the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, representing the Premier.

The Residence was decorated with ikebana and bonsai displays to please the eyes of our guests. To experience culinary delights of Japan, a sake tasting bar was set up to be accompanied with delectable finger food using Japanese wagyu beef from Kagoshima prefecture. Robots Paro, Nao and Pepper also joined in welcoming guests, providing a chance for all to interact with the latest in Japanese robotics.

2018 Autumn Conferment of Decorations

The Government of Japan announced on 3 November the recipients of the 2018 Autumn Conferment of Decorations for their outstanding contributions to their respective areas.

The Consulate General of Japan in Brisbane therefore wishes it to be known that the following recipients shall be conferred with decorations in recognition of their endeavours in Queensland.

The details of the recipients are as follows:

Ms. Akiko Yamada
• Director of Urasenke Brisbane Liaison Office
• Director of the Japanese Cultural Centre

Ms. Akiko Yamada has been awarded “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” for her contribution to promoting Japanese culture in Australia.

Japan Week 2018

To celebrate Japan Week celebration for 2018, the annual Japanese Cultural performances Day was held on Friday 17th at the Queen Street Mall Stage. Workshops and Performances for Japanese Traditional Dancing and Wadaiko, along with Karate demonstrations were held throughout the day.

On Sunday the 19th, cultural activities such as Japanese Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy, Ikebana flower arranging and mochi making were on display at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.

Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY 2018

The Government of Japan announced on 17 July, the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2018.

The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas. The Commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.

The Consulate-General of Japan wishes it to be known that the following recipients shall be awarded the Commendation in recognition of their endeavours.

Ms Julie Warwick, Principal of Robina State High School

Mr Ross James McConachie, Former President of the Australia Japan Society - Queensland

Japanese Showcase - Food and Sake Promotional Event

On Tuesday, 26th of June the Consulate-General of Japan held a Japanese Food and Sake Showcase where the finest of what Japan has to offer was on display for restaurant owners, chefs and managers across Brisbane to taste. The event was also graced by many industry experts, including MasterChef 2017 runner-up Ben Ungermann and JETRO Sydney Managing Director Mr Hiroyuki Nakazato.

Beautifully prepared were rice, miso, Japanese sake and fruit sake, scallops and matcha green tea creations – all quality ingredients imported from Japan.

At the onigiri demonstration booths, participants made their very own under the expert tutelage of Chef Yoko Nagayama using famous varieties of premium Japanese rice and flavoured miso.

Visit to the Bundaberg Region

On the 17th of April 2018, the Consul-General made her first trip to Bundaberg. With the warm hospitality of Mayor Jack Dempsey, Deputy Mayor Bill Trevor and members of the Bundaberg Regional Council, the much anticipated day trip proved to be an action-packed, informative tour of some of Bundaberg’s leading industrial attractions.

Queensland supplies more than half of Japan’s imported raw sugar, and farmers put in extraordinary care to maintain the stringent quality standards of these exports. The Consul-General’s visit to the sugarcane farms, sugar terminal and local avocado, macadamia and lychee farms added to her understanding of the importance of Bundaberg region in Queensland.

Not only does Bundaberg have a strong partnership with Japan in the trade sector, the city has strong cultural links to Japan with Settsu City and Bundaberg celebrating 20 years of their sister-city relationship this year. Bundaberg’s potential for collaboration and growth in trade, education and cultural exchange offers a very promising future for Japan and Queensland.

Official Imperial Decoration Ceremony and Reception 2018

On the 2nd of March, 2018, an Official Imperial Decoration Ceremony and Reception was held at the Consul-General’s Official Residence for the conferment of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on Mr Ross Humphreys.

As Former President of Australia Japan Society Queensland and the National Federation of Australia Japan Societies, Ross has been recognised for his long-standing contribution to the promotion of friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.

The ceremony was attended by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, representatives from Australia Japan Society Queensland, family, friends and colleagues who took the opportunity to congratulate Ross on his achievements.

2018 New Year's Reception

A New Year Celebration Reception was held at the Consul-General’s Residence on January 30th. About 90 people attended the reception and included representatives from Japanese associations in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Japan Club and Japanese Society, various cultural and educational associates. The reception incorporated “washoku” (Japanese cuisine) and “sake” tasting as part of cultural promotion.