Event Reports

2024/10/23

2024 Event Reports

2024 Japanese Film Festival Opening in Melbourne

On Monday 21 October 2024, the 28th Japanese Film Festival presented by the Japan Foundation, Sydney, opened at The Kino Cinema in Melbourne. Acting Consul-General Natsuko Miguchi delivered her opening remarks prior to the screening of the festival's opening film ‘Mom, Is That You!?' by director Yoji Yamada. 

2024 JET Returnees Welcome Reception

On Monday 7 October, Consul-General Shimada hosted a reception to welcome recently returned JET Programme participants in Melbourne. The reception was attended by Victorian Member of Parliament Mr David Limbrick, City of Melbourne Councillor Jamal Hakim, and Japan Local Government Centre/CLAIR Sydney Executive Director Mr Manya Hiraki. Also in attendance were State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Tim Kane, representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne, JET alumni (JETAA Vic/Tas/SA), Japanese teachers/lecturers and others.

Prior to the reception, the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne hosted a career seminar to provide JET returnees with useful tips and information for their future careers.



 

Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to Dr Shoko Yoneyama

On Friday 20 September, Consul-General Shimada presented the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to Dr Shoko Yoneyama, Associate Professor in Asian Studies at the University of Adelaide.

The certificate was awarded in recognition of Dr Yoneyama's significant contribution to academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.

Congratulations to Dr Yoneyama. We look forward to your further contributions to the Japan-Australia relationship! 


Ceremony to present the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to Mr Yoshito Sagawa

On Thursday 12 September, Consul-General Shimada hosted a conferral ceremony at his residence to present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr Yoshito Sagawa, former Co-Chair of Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria (formerly Australia Japan Society of Victoria).
 
The certificate was awarded in recognition of Mr Sagawa’s contribution in promoting Japanese culture in Australia, and the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and Australia.
 
The ceremony, which was followed by a luncheon, was attended by those involved in Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria.



 

Ceremony to present the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to Chado Urasenke Tankokai Melbourne Association

On Wednesday 4 September, Consul-General Shimada hosted a ceremony at his residence to present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Chado Urasenke Tankokai Melbourne Association for its significant contribution in promoting Japanese culture in Australia and strengthening Japan-Australia relations.
 
The ceremony, which was followed by an afternoon tea, was attended by Mrs Ritsuko Greenwood, Chief Administrator of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Melbourne Association, past Chief Administrators, and current and past members of the committee.
 
Founded in 1991, the Association continues to provide opportunities for people in Melbourne to learn and experience Chado through demonstrations. 




 

Ceremony to present the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to Mr Peter Patterson

On Tuesday 3 September, Consul-General Shimada presented the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr Peter Patterson, former Chairperson of the Frankston-Susono Friendship Association (FSFA), for his significant contribution in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.

Mr Patterson was a Chairperson of the FSFA for over 18 years from 2001 to 2019 and was the driving force behind various Japan-related events organised by the FSFA, including the Frankston Japanese Festival, FSFA Japanese speech contest, and Hanami Party.

On the day, Mr Patterson was joined by his family and members of the FSFA for the ceremony held at Frankston.



The Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria 2024

On 25 August 2024, Consul-General Shimada attended the opening ceremony of the 54th Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria, held at the Yasuko Hiraoka Myer Room in Sidney Myer Asia Centre, the University of Melbourne. An audience of around 150 people watched 55 contestants deliver their speeches on various topics of their interest in Japanese.

List of winners can be found here website.



 

Consul-General's Commendation to Mr Brandon Lee

On 21 August 2024, Melbourne-based Japanese koto (zither) performer originally from Malaysia, Mr Brandon Lee, was presented a Consul-General's commendation for his many years of outstanding contribution to promoting Japanese culture and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia through his performances in Victoria.
 
After returning from his apprenticeship in Japan, Mr Lee has been actively performing all around Australia since 2014.
 
Congratulations to Mr Lee.



 

Consul-General's Commendation to Ms Noriko Tadano

On 13 August 2024, Adelaide-based Japanese musician Ms Noriko Tadano was presented a Consul-General's commendation for her many years of significant contribution to mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia through her shamisen and other performances.

Congratulations to Ms Tadano!



Conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, to Mr Michael Leigh Dunphy

On 13 August 2024, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, to Mr Michael Leigh Dunphy, President of the Japan Australia Friendship Association (JAFA) in Adelaide for his outstanding contribution in promoting Japanese culture and strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Australia.
 
Established in 1998, JAFA is a social and cultural non-profit volunteer organisation based in Adelaide, which promotes friendship between Japan and Australia. Every year, JAFA hosts major Japanese cultural events including AnimeGO! and Kodomo no Hi Japan Festival. 
 
Mr Dunphy notes that this award represents the hard work and dedication of all members of JAFA.


2024 JET Programme Farewell Reception

On 24 July 2024, Consul-General Shimada and Mrs Shimada hosted a farewell reception for the 2024 JET Programme participants residing in Victoria at their residence. The reception was attended by Ms Roma Britnell MP representing the Parliamentary Friends of Japan and Mr David Limbrick MP, a former JET participant. Other guests included representatives from the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations in Sydney, former JET Programme participants, Japanese teachers and lecturers, and business representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne.

At the reception, sake educator Ms Kana Aoyama gave a brief sake lecture as an introduction to Japanese culture, after which participants enjoyed tasting three brands of sake.

The 2024 JET Programme participants will depart on 27 July 2024 to begin their one-year contract as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations in Japan. For information on the JET Programme, please visit the JET Programme website.



 

Consul-General's Commendation to Mr Hisaaki Nagao

On 4 June, Mr Hisaaki Nagao, former Executive Director of SBS Japanese Language Broadcasting, was presented a Consul-General's commendation for his significant contribution over the years to deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia.

Mr Nagao has had a decades-long career in radio, including more than 20 years as a presenter on SBS Japanese language radio.

Congratulations to Mr Nagao.



 

Korea-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Women's Leadership Forum

On 21 and 22 May, the Consulates-General of the ROK, the US, and Japan jointly hosted the Trilateral Women's Leadership Forum, with the sponsorship of the City of Melbourne.
 
Lord Mayor Sally Capp AO delivered opening remarks and the forum featured panel discussions on career development and female leadership by prominent female leaders representing three countries: Ms Erika Olson, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States; Ms Natsuko Miguchi, Deputy Consul-General of Japan; and Ms Elizabeth Lee, Leader of Opposition in the ACT from the public sector, and Ms Sara James, Emmy Award-winning Broadcast Journalist and Author; Ms Natsuko Ogawa, M&A Partner of Ashurst; and Ms Christine Park, Partner of FINDEX & Crowe Group from the private sector. Many young leaders of the next generation from Australia and the Korean-U.S.-Japanese communities also attended the forum.



 

Reception for former MEXT scholars

On 21 March 2024, Consul-General Shimada and his wife hosted a reception at their residence for former Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Scholarship recipients in Victoria. This was the third reception since the formation of the Melbourne MEXT Alumni Association (MMAA) in March 2019. Fifteen former MEXT scholars attended and introduced themselves one by one, sharing stories about their life in Japan. The event provided a great opportunity for former scholars to reconnect with each other and forge new connections.

After a speech by the Consul-General, Ms Leonie Boxtel, President of the MMAA, proposed a toast, and Dr Jason Jones, Vice-President of the MMAA, gave a presentation about his recent trip to Japan to attend the 4th Japan Alumni Conference in Tokyo as a representative of alumni associations in Australia.



 

2024 Emperor's Birthday Reception

On 15 February 2024, the Emperor’s Birthday Celebration Reception was held at the Consul-General’s residence. The event was attended by approximately 300 people, including state and local government officials, state and federal politicians, members of the Victorian Consular Corps, Japanese cultural and educational organisations, and business representatives of Australian and Japanese businesses.

After Kyudo ceremonial shooting rituals and the singing of the Australian and Japanese national anthems, Consul-General Shimada delivered a speech, which was followed by congratulatory remarks by Mr Nick Staikos MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs (representing the Premier and Guest of Honour), and Mr David Southwick MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, respectively.

The residence was decorated with welcoming flowers by Ikebana International and samurai armour from the Edo period, while guests enjoyed traditional Japanese culture, including live performance of koto and taiko drums and a hands-on demonstration of tea ceremony by Urasenke. Japanese companies provided beer, green tea slushies, probiotic drinks, as well as cheesecakes from Otaru, strawberries and char-grilled Hida beef from Gifu Prefecture, and Aomori Prefecture and Narita Market offered sake and specialities. There were also displays of a hydrogen bus, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrids electric vehicles from Japanese car manufacturers, as well as the distribution of samples of healthcare-related products. In addition, Melbourne’s sister city, Osaka, promoted the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, while Victoria’s sister state, Aichi Prefecture, promoted its sister state relationship.

(Photos: Risako Yamanaka) 
Speecj Kanpai
Anthems Kyodo
Ikebana Taiko
 (Photos: The Consulate-General of Japan)
Tea Reception  

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr. Ross Ciaravolo

On 9 February 2024, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr. Ross Ciaravolo for his enormous contribution to promoting regional exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.

Mr. Ciaravolo was joined by family and friends for a reception followed by a dinner at the official residence.