Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at the Emperor’s Birthday Function on 3 December 2013
The Hon Dr Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria,
The Hon James Merlino, Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria, representing the Leader of the Opposition,
The Hon Bruce Atkinson, President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, The Hon Ken Smith, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Victoria,
The Hon Christine Fyffe, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,
The Hon Ted Baillieu, former Premier of Victoria,
Mr Steve Herbert, Co-Chair, and Members of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Victoria,
Other Members of the Parliament of Victoria,
Ambassador John Richardson, State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia in Victoria,
Mr Murray McLean, Chairman of the Australia-Japan Foundation, and former Ambassador of Australia to Japan,
Ms Amanda Paxton, State Director of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia in Victoria,
Mayors and City Councillors,
Mr Diego Velasco, Dean, and Colleagues of the Consular Corps Melbourne,
Other Dignitaries and Friends whom I have failed to mention – my apologies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my honour and pleasure to welcome you all here tonight to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
On the 23rd of this month, His Majesty the Emperor will be 80 years old.
Including the visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress as the Crown Prince and Princess in 1973, a number of the members of the Japanese Imperial Family visited Melbourne and Australia, which, I believe, has underpinned the strong bonds of friendship between Japan and Australia.
Today I would like to thank Ikebana International for the flowers, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Melbourne (JCCIM) for the exhibition for the second year, this time the 50th anniversary exhibition, and the Japanese brewers for their beers offered for a number of years.
We also have prepared different kinds of Sake and some food items for your tasting of Japan.
One year ago here on the same occasion, I referred to the long and important relationship between Australia and Japan and Victoria and Japan, covering various areas such as economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges, including the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program or JET Program and the Japanese language education, and I said “We expect more.”
This year Melbourne has retained the status of the world’s most liveable city for the three consecutive years, and I could continue to mention that perhaps the activities of Japanese companies with their Australian partners and the cultural programs organized by Japanese residents with the participation of Australians here are also contributing to this liveability, that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
In addition, we have witnessed many celebrations in 2013.
JCCIM is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Last year I said that the opening of the Pauline Gandel Gallery of Japanese Art in the NGV worth celebration for many years.
In fact Mrs Gandel, who is present here with Mr John Gandel tonight, received the Commendation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan this year.
Also, Mr Toshinori Sakamoto, leader of the Japanese drumming team Wadaiko Rindo received the Commendation from the Japanese Foreign Minister.
Mr Max Yasuda - who is present here - , President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation Australia, was appointed as an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, among other Australian medal holders present here.
Now it is my pleasure to announce here that just last week I presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon from the Emperor of Japan to Prof. J. V. Neustupny, former Professor of Monash University who made a tremendous contribution to Japanese language education and Japanese studies.
Many celebrations indeed!
In Japan, the Government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is promoting Abenomics consisting of aggressive monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategy entitled “Japan Is Back” for the purpose of achieving economic growth in Japan after suffering from deflation for two decades.
Japan is determined to achieve economic growth again.
Under these circumstances, following on the visit to Japan of the Hon Peter Ryan, Deputy Premier of Victoria, Premier Napthine led a Victorian Trade Mission to Japan last October, with food, infrastructure and retail as the Mission’s focuses for further development of Victoria’s business relations with Japan.
As a result, the first shop in Australia of a popular Japanese retail chain was opened in Greater Melbourne last month.
The Premier also announced on the occasion of his visit to Japan, the first awardees to Japan of the expanded Hamer Scholarship.
A number of mature Victorians will go to Japan for their Japanese language training.
Incidentally, the Australian final of the 44th annual Japanese Language Speech Contest was held in Melbourne also last October.
With respect to the sister-state and sister-city relations, this year I participated in those functions of Whitehorse, Melbourne, Glen Eira, Port Phillip, and Victoria, among other cities, with their Japanese sister cities and prefecture.
Currently the 17th annual Japanese Film Festival is under way in Melbourne from last Thursday until Sunday 8 December.
Therefore I believe that year 2013 has been a good year for Victoria and Japan.
Don’t you agree?
Thank you.
Now what is important is to build upon the achievements made so far.
I and my colleagues in the Consulate look forward to cooperating with all of you here for further developing the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and Victoria and Japan and Australia, in this admirable multicultural society.
With respect to the Premier’s Trade Mission to Japan, I intend to follow that up in cooperation with all those concerned, particularly JCCIM.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank you once again for joining us tonight in the celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
I wish all of you present here, continued good health and happiness.
Having said this, may I now request you to charge your glasses, so that I may propose a toast to the Queen and the people of Australia.
Are you ready?
“To the Queen and the people of Australia!”
Thank you.