Remarks by Consul-General Ms Haneda at The 2014 Japan Festival on Sunday 18 May 2014
Good morning.
I am Keiko Haneda, a new Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of the 2014 Japan Festival. I arrived here last month, so this is my first Japan Festival in Melbourne. I am thrilled to see such a large crowd and I hope all of you enjoy today’s event and further your interest in and understanding of Japanese culture. I would like to thank Mr Nagashima and those who worked hard for the Festival.
The Japan Festival in Box Hill has developed into one of the major multi-cultural events in Melbourne. I believe this is the evidence of the strength of the connection between Victoria and Japan.
I would like to acknowledge the City of Whitehorse and the Box Hill Institute for their continued support of this event. I just witnessed last Monday the excellent sister city relationship between the City of Whitehorse and the City of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture. Mayor Ellis and the mayor of Matsudo held a telephone conversation and then Mayor Ellis answered questions form children of Matsudo Elementary school over the phone. It was very heart warming and I offer my congratulations and gratitude for the success of 43 years of sister city relations.
In anticipation of today’s success, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the organisers and supporters of the 2014 Japan Festival. Congratulations!
Thank you.