Remarks by the Consul-General at the Emperor's Birthday Reception on February 22, 2024

Your Excellency and Professor Nimmo
Acknowledged, and Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

This evening we are here to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, who turns 64 tomorrow, the 23rd of February.

I thank you all for joining me here. As I look around this room, the valuable ties that Japan and Queensland share are reflected among us.

This past January has been a difficult time for both Japan and Australia.

Japan was hit by a major earthquake and suffered a serious plane collision at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, while Queensland was hit hard by a series of major natural disasters over the Christmas and New Year period.

I wish to convey my deepest condolences to all those affected.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone for welcoming me so cordially to Brisbane since my arrival in April last year. I have experienced how close, warm and mature the Japan-Australia relationship is, and I ask myself why is it such a formidable relationship. So, I look at the past.

After World War II, Australia was one of the first countries to normalise diplomatic relations with Japan, and by the 1950s had become Japan’s second largest supplier of goods after the US. Australia made the very welcome decision to export energy resources to Japan, which had fought as an enemy during the war.

Japan's post-war reconstruction, subsequent economic growth and the current Japanese economy are all possible because Australia has always been a stable and reliable partner in supplying such commodities. Currently, more than 60% of Japan's total coal and iron ore imports come from Australia, with coal from QLD accounting for 24% of this.

Needless to say, Japan has also been actively investing in Australia, and has worked hard to be a reliable partner as a good corporate citizen in a variety of areas, including tourism and the development of Australia's social infrastructure.

Today, the global energy situation is undergoing a major transformation. Last October, discussions at the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee Conference held in Melbourne focused on renewable energy, hydrogen and energy transition, rather than the traditional energy resources. In this context, participants shared that the complementary bilateral relationship is becoming increasingly important and that the potential for greater cooperation is growing.

Already, major Japanese banks are increasingly investing in Australia's renewable energy and transition sectors, as well as in infrastructure, including housing and roads, and were ranked number one in project finance in 2022, ahead of Australia's four largest banks.

But it is not just about the economy. We are not allies in the traditional sense, but we have a very close security relationship. When did the relationship become so strong and based on mutual trust?

I feel that the speech made by former Prime Minister Abe to the Australian Parliament in 2014 was probably the main catalyst that opened a new chapter. His words, “Today is the day when our two peace-loving, freedom-, democracy-, human rights- and rule of law-oriented countries breathe life into a new and special relationship.", sublimated at once the bonds of trust that have been established by our predecessors over many years.

Three years before this speech, on 11 March 2011, the Tohoku region of northern Japan was hit by an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami, leaving more than 22,000 people dead or missing. After the disaster, the first foreign leader to enter one of the cities worst hit was then Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Three former Australian Prime Ministers attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe, along with the current Prime Minister, Albanese. There is no other country like Australia. I feel this symbolises how deep the political relationship between our two nations has become.

It is not just a bilateral relationship. In our relations with ASEAN and Pacific Island countries, Japan and Australia have contributed significantly to regional stabilisation by working closely together.

As the region is called upon to create an architecture to tackle issues such as climate change, pandemics and nuclear non-proliferation, Japan recognises that both our countries, which share fundamental values and strategic interests, have an extremely important role to play.

I believe that it is our sincere efforts to tackle each of these challenges together, hand in hand, that will further strengthen the Japan-Australia relationship. The driving force behind this is the people-to-people links between our two countries, where mutual trust and respect exist, and which is represented through your presence here this evening.

Now, just one last announcement.

For this evening’s special occasion, we have prepared four different dishes using Japanese Hokkaido scallops. To enhance the taste of the scallops, Chef Suzuki has created a special fusion sauce based on Japanese flavours, using Vegemite and Lemon Myrtle. Please enjoy this mix of Australian and Japanese tastes.

In addition, there is plenty of variety of beverages available, including a selection of QLD wines.

We also have corporate sponsorship for Japanese beers from Coopers Brewery, in association with Sapporo Beer of Japan, for Sparkling sake 'Mio' from Takara International and Nippon Food Supplies, and for canned coffee 'BOSS' from Frucor Suntory. Canned coffee is also available to take home.

These products are popular in Japan and can be purchased right here in Queensland.

And lastly, we are proud to display a hydrogen vehicle from Toyota, in front of the main gate of this official residence. If you haven’t already seen it, we encourage you to take a look during the reception.

Have a pleasant evening.

Thank you.



TOAST

“To His Majesty, the King, and the people of Australia”.