Event Reports (2011)
* If you would like to see coming events information, please visit here
The 2011 Emperor’s Birthday Function
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The Emperor’s Birthday was celebrated on Wednesday, December 7 with a reception at Consul-General Sobashima’s official residence. The reception was attended by over 360 people including State and Federal Parliamentary Ministers, and community and business leaders. Speeches were made by the Consul-General, and the Hon Louise Asher, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business and Minister for Tourism and Major Events. In his speech the Consul General expressed his deep gratitude to the Australian people for the support given to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake and spoke of the strength of the Australia-Japan relationship. A toast was made to the Queen and the people of Australia, whilst Louise Asher made a toast to the Emperor of Japan. As part of the refreshments, guests were able to enjoy sake from Miyagi prefecture, one of the prefectures recovering from significant damage after the earthquake. |
International "Poetry for Peace" Contest Award Ceremony held in Melbourne
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On Wednesday, December 14 an award ceremony was held at the offices of the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne to present the second place prize in the Poetry for Peace Contest to Ms Hashela Kumarawansa. The Poetry for Peace Contest is an international competition that was organised by the Government of Japan in close cooperation with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Department of Public Information. Ms Hashela Kumarawansa is a student at Keilor Downs College, having recently completed Year 11. Ms Kumarawansa’s poem “How Can I Forget” was selected for the second prize from a total of 741 submitted poems. The competition was designed to bring together poets from across the globe in their consideration of the pursuit of world peace. Consul-General Sobashima presented Ms Kumarawansa with a signed certificate of distinction from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Koichiro Gemba, and addressed the audience, who included journalists from both the English language and Japanese language press. In his speech, Mr Sobashima spoke of his personal involvement with the global Nuclear Disarmament process and encouraged Ms Kumarawansa to continue to promote the discussion of peace amongst her peers. *Please click here to read the Consul-General’s speech delivered at the ceremony. |
Visit by Students of Kalinda Primary School
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On Tuesday 6 December, approximately fifteen students of Kalinda Primary School visited the Consulate to meet with the new Consul-General of Japan. They expressed their condolences regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and informed the Consul-General of their recent fundraising activities. Before their visit, they attended a screening of the film ‘A Boy and His Samurai’ shown as part of the 15th Japanese Film Festival. |
Japan Culture Festival at Collingwood Town Hall
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On Sunday November 27, the 2011 Japan Culture Festival attracted a huge crowd to the Collingwood Town Hall. The Festival, organised by the Japaneasy Language School, continues to be very popular after the success of last year’s inaugural event. The festival was supported by the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne and the Japan Foundation, Sydney. Consul-General Sobashima opened the festival and delivered a speech. Attendees were able to experience a wide range of workshops and presentations from the many sponsors of the festival. *Please click here to read the Consul-General’s speech delivered at the festival. |
Visit to Melbourne of the Tea Grand Master and Urasenke Tankokai’s 20th Anniversary
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In November, Soshitsu Sen XVI, Grand Master of Urasenke Tradition of Tea visited Melbourne. The Grand Master’s visit was part of the commemorations for Urasenke Melbourne’s 20th Anniversary. The Grand Master delivered a lecture at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) followed with a tea demonstration by members of Urasenke Melbourne. The Grand Master also attended a dinner at the NGV to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Guests at the dinner included Ms Heidi Victoria, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Assisting the Premier with the Arts, and the former Australian Ambassador to Japan, Mr Murray McLean OAM. The tea gatherings the following day at the NGV were very popular, with both sessions selling out. It was the Grand Master’s first visit to Australia and his delegation stayed in Melbourne from the 3rd to the 7th of November. |
JENESYS Programme Scholarship Presentation and Orientation
 JENESYS Programme participants with Director Egusa (right) |
On Thursday November 24, the scholarship presentation and orientation session was held for the 2011 JENESYS Programme. The JENESYS Programme is a Japanese Government funded programme that aims to create a strong solidarity amongst Asian countries by promoting mutual understanding through youth exchange within the region. The Director of the Japan Information and Cultural Centre, Ms Keiko Egusa, attended the presentation and addressed the assembled students and their families. The JENESYS Programme is in its fifth and final year and has allowed almost 1000 Australian students to experience Japan. |
Courtesy Call on Premier of Victoria
| On 22 November, Consul-General Sobashima made a courtesy call on Premier of Victoria, The Hon Edward (Ted) Norman Baillieu. On that occasion, CG Sobashima, who arrived in Melbourne in October, expressed his appreciation to the Premier for his warm personal and official sympathy and support for the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Premier warmly welcomed the new Consul-General and they had a meeting in a congenial atmosphere. |
Courtesy Call on Victoria Governor
| On 14 November, Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima made a courtesy call on Governor of Victoria, The Hon Alex Chernov AO, QC. On that occasion, CG Sobashima who had arrived in Melbourne last month expressed his determination to do his best to further consolidate and develop the already cordial relationship between Japan and Victoria. The Governor warmly welcomed the new Consul-General and they had a meeting in a congenial atmosphere. |
Visit of Aichi Prefecture delegation to Victoria
 The delegation and CG Sobashima (third from left) |
A delegation from the Japanese prefecture of Aichi visited Victoria from November 1st to November 4th. Victoria and Aichi have maintained a sister state relationship since the 2nd of May, 1980 and celebrated the 30th anniversary of that relationship last year. The 6 member delegation was headed by the Vice-Chairperson of the Aichi Prefectural Assembly of Japan, Mr Katsuhiko Fukaya, and included 4 other Assembly Members representing their respective parties and a Director of the Assembly Secretariat. This visit was made as part of mutual exchanges between the State and the Prefecture to bolster and consolidate the Victoria-Aichi relationship. During their stay here, the delegation made a courtesy call on The Hon Bruce Atkinson, President of the Legislative Council and The Hon Ken Smith, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, met other members of the State Parliament. In addition, the delegation visited Port Philip which has a sister city relationship of Obu City of Aichi Prefecture and a high school. |
Japan-Australia Cultural Afternoon at Glen Eira Town Hall
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On Sunday November 13 a Japanese cultural event was held in Glen Eira Town Hall, organised by the Glen Eira Rotary Club with the cooperation of the Glen Eira City Council. The Consul-General in Melbourne, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima attended the event and made a speech as part of the opening. The event featured many different aspects of traditional Japanese culture, including ikebana (flower arranging), the tea ceremony, taiko drumming, origami and dance performances. Local school children participated in the performances. Proceeds from the event went towards Rotary projects that are supporting victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March. In his speech, Consul-General Sobashima thanked the Australian people for the support they have shown to Japan after the disaster and praised the organisers of the Japan-Australia Cultural Afternoon for creating such a successful event. *Please click here to read the Consul-General’s speech delivered at the event. |
20th Anniversary of the Mitchell-Honbetsu Sister City Relationship
 Consul-General Sobashima addresses the audience |
On Thursday November 10 the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, travelled to the Mitchell Shire Council Chambers. Consul-General Sobashima participated in a ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Mitchell and the Japanese town of Honbetsu. The ceremony was hosted by the Mayor of the Shire of Mitchell, Cr Graeme Coppel and the delegation from Honbetsu was led by the Deputy Mayor of Honbetsu, Mr Masaru Sunahara. The Consul-General made a speech at the ceremony, addressing the audience in both English and Japanese. In his Speech, Mr Sobashima spoke of the benefits of sister city relationships and commended the Mayors, the Councillors and the communities of both cities for maintaining such a strong relationship. *Please click here to read the Consul-General’s speech delivered at the event. |
RMIT Japan Club participates in Business Culture Workshop
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Approximately twenty student members of the RMIT Japan Club visited the Japan Information and Cultural Centre for a cultural seminar on Wednesday 26 October 2011. The seminar focussed on Japanese business culture and included role plays of bowing and meishi (business card) exchange. The students had many questions regarding working and study options in Japan. |
Australian National Sumo Championships at Federation Square, Melbourne
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On Saturday, October 15, the Australian National Sumo Championships were held at Federation Square in Melbourne. The championships attracted a crowd of friends, family and supporters as well as people interested in the unique Japanese sport. The quality of the competition was high since the Australian Sumo Federation includes many experienced sumo wrestlers who have achieved success in competitions in the Oceania region. The Consul-General of Japan, Mr Hidenobu Sobashima, attended the Championship and made a speech at the opening of the event. In his speech, the Consul-General spoke of the strength of the Australia-Japan relationship and expressed his gratitude to the Australian Sumo Federation for bringing this year’s Championship to Victoria. *Please click here to read the Consul-General’s speech delivered at the event. |
Malvern Central School Production of Momotaro
 Acting Consul-General Kotake addresses the audience |
On Thursday, 22nd of September, a production entitled Momotaro, or Peach Boy, was held at Malvern Central School. The production, which depicted a traditional Japanese tale, was performed by the Prep, Year One and Year Two students with great enthusiasm. The production was attended by the Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasufumi Kotake and the Director of the JICC, Ms Keiko Egusa. Mr Kotake made a speech after the performance congratulating the students on the excellence of the production and their terrific Japanese language abilities. |
Workshop at Swinburne University of Technology
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On Thursday, 22nd of September, a workshop entitled“Exploring the Role of Coordinated Aid Programs in Stimulating Entrepreneurial Activities within a Regional Economic Development Framework in the Asia-Pacific”was held at Swinburne University of Technology. The Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, made the opening remarks about Japan-Australia relations and the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. |
Frankston Japanese Language Speech Contest 2011
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On Friday the 16th of September the Frankston and Susono Friendship Association held the annual Frankston Japanese Language Speech
Contest at Monash University, Peninsula Campus. Frankston and the Japanese city of Susono, in Shizuoka prefecture, have been sister cities since 1982 and are involved in
regular exchange programs.
They have plans to celebrate their 30th anniversary later this year and in early 2012. The speech contest was attended by Ms Keiko Egusa, Director of the JICC, who was part of the judging panel and who presented the Consul-General's awards. The Mayor of Frankston, Cr Kris Bolam, was also in attendance. Over 60 students participated in the five divisions of the contest and demonstrated their Japanese language skills in front of family and friends. Mr Peter Patterson, chairperson of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association, made a speech at the event, congratulating the students on their achievements. |
Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian Final 2011
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The Victorian final of the 42nd Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest was held on Sunday the 4th of September at Swinburne University of Technology. The competition began with addresses from the Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, and Mr Brad Battin, Member of the Parliament of Victoria and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan. Mr Battin, who opened the contest, encouraged the speech participants and congratulated them on their hard work and diligence. A record number of applications were received for this year’s contest, and 63 speakers took part in the four divisions of the competition. Both sessions of the contest attracted sizeable crowds who enjoyed the very high standard of public speaking. Attendees included the President and Trustee Members of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Melbourne and the Japanese Society of Melbourne. Division Winners: High School: Ms Minsun Park (John Monash Science School) Open Beginner: Ms Kimberly Kim (Monash University) Background Speaker: Mr Go Dan (The University High School) Open: Mr Yoon-Woo (Jae) Lee (Monash University) For a full list of the prize winners from each division, please see the attached document  .
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Visit of delegation of 2011 AFL International Cup Japanese Team “SAMURAIS”
Samurais Players and Deputy Consul-General, Mr Kotake
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JET Programme Farewell Reception
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A farewell reception was held in honour of the departure of the participants of the 2011 JET Programme at the Consul-General’s official residence on Thursday 21 July. The reception was well attended by many supporters of the JET Programme including the Co-Chairs of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Japan, Mr Brad Battin MP and Mr Steve Herbert MP; Japanese business leaders and members of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The reception was also attended by several participants of the Assistants to Teachers of Japanese (ATJ) Programme and many former JET Programme participants. The Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, wished the participants well over the next twelve months and encouraged them to be actively involved in their local communities and assist in promoting the relationship between Japan and Australia. Thirty-eight JET Programme participants departed from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania on Saturday 23 July to commence their 12-month contracts in Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). |
Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Roundtable
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On Wednesday 6th July, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, Acting Consul-General of Japan, participated in the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Roundtable held at the University of Melbourne as a session of the 2011 Japanese Studies Association of Australia Conference. Mr Kotake was one of the eight panelists of the roundtable and made a short presentation under the theme of “What does the event and its aftermath tell us about Australia-Japan relations?” During the presentation, Mr Kotake spoke about PM Gillard’s visit to Japan and the support shown by the Federal and State Governments. The presentation also highlighted the fund raising efforts of sister cities, private companies, religious, educational and sports organisations, as well as artists and famous chefs. Mr Kotake also made mention of the assistance provided by Japan-Australia friendship organisations and Japanese companies. Mr Kotake concluded that through the recent disaster, the “comprehensive and strategic partnership” between Japan and Australia, which consists of economic, political, security and people-to-people links, had been further strengthened. |
JENESYS High School Students Invitation Programme Launch
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On Monday 20th of June, the launch of JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) High School Students Invitation Programme 2011 was held at the JICC in Melbourne. This program is sponsored by the Japanese Government and AFS Australia assists its implementation. Mr Yasufumi Kotake, Acting Consul-General of Japan delivered a speech inviting as many students as possible to apply to the programme and promoting Japan’s attributes with special focus on its unique culture and tourism resources. |
Japan Festival 2011 at Box Hill Town Hall
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On Sunday May 15th, Acting Consul-General Yasufumi Kotake attended the opening of the Japan Festival 2011 organized by the Japan Club of
Victoria at the Box Hill Town Hall and TAFE, and delivered a speech. Mr Robert Clark, Attorney-General and Minister for Finance of the Victorian Government (on behalf of the Premier Ted Baillieu), Ms Anna Burke, Federal Member for Chisholm and Cr Ben Stennett, Mayor of the City of Whitehorse, also spoke at the event. In spite of the cold weather, the festival was very successful and attracted a large crowd. |
2011 Melbourne Victory vs Gamba Osaka
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Display of Mr. Yasuhito Endo’s Jersey at the Japan Information and Cultural Centre |
2011 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix
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One minute’s silence for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. |
"Why learn Japanese?" Year 10 Forum for Students of Japanese
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On Friday 13th May, Mr Yasufumi Kotake, Acting Consul-General of Japan, attended the "Why learn Japanese?” Year 10 Student Forum 2011 at
Monash University and delivered a speech. Mr Kotake spoke about the importance and merit of language education and thanked students and teachers for their contribution to the promotion of Japanese language study. He also relayed some of the accounts of the signs of recovery in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, and spoke positively of Japan’s attributes with special focus on its unique culture and tourism resources. Mr Kotake explained to the students the many benefits that they could enjoy by visiting Japan. Around 900 students attended the event, which was organized by the Japanese Language Teachers’Association of Victoria together with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education. |
Donation from the Australian Ballet School
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On the 5th of May the Acting Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasufumi Kotake was invited to the Australian Ballet School to receive a donation from
the school’s staff and students. Mr Kotake delivered a speech in which he expressed his heartfelt thanks for the generous donation, and spoke of the correlation between the era of progress in Japan and the history of the Australian Ballet School. Mr Kotake also relayed some of the accounts of the current situation in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, and elaborated on some specific episodes of overseas support which Japan has received. |