Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at Kodomo No Hi Japan Festival 2013 at Cowandilla Primary School, South Australia on Sunday 5 May 2013
Your Excellency Lt. Gov. Hieu Van Le, Chair of Multicultural Commission of South Australia,
The Hon. Zollo, and Other Distinguished Members of the State and Federal Parliaments,
Mr. Mike Dunphy, President of Japan Australia Friendship Association (JAFA),
The Citizens’ Choir from Akaiwa City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan,
Distinguished Guests,
Organizers,
Sponsors,
Volunteers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the welcome ceremony of Kodomo No Hi Japan Festival 2013 in the 20th anniversary year of the sisiter-state relationship between South Australia and Okayama Prefecture.
I admire the activities of JAFA and volunteers, among other organizations and individuals, for hosting one of the largest Japan Festivals in Australia.
In connection with the liveability ranking of Australian cities in the world, Adelaide the 5th ahead of Sydney’s 7th and Perth’s 9th, I have repeatedly stated on various occasions that perhaps the collaboration and cooperation between the Japanese residents and Australian hosts are also contributing to such admirable livability, economically and culturally in this multicultural society.
Thus JAFA worths appreciation.
I hear that JAFA will donate to a project of girls’ orphanage in Sri Lanka this year.
I recall that after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in Mrach 2011, JAFA and other organizations and individuals collected donations under the guidance and support by the group headed by Lt. Gov. Hieu Van Le.
JAFA also dispatched volunteers to assist the reconstruction efforts.
The affected areas are on their way to recovery.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express once again my utmost gratitude to the sincere sympathy and massive support extended from South Australia to Japan.
For your information, Tokyo has put forward its candidature for the 2020 summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Government of Japan supports it.
If the games will be held in Tokyo that will further encourage people in the affected areas in particular and the Japanese people in general, and Japan will take that opportunity to express its sincere gratitude once again to the participating countries and territories.
Today we have varieties of Japanese programs.
I hope you will all enjoy these.
I will enjoy, too.
Thank you.