Event Report (2016)
* For information about current and upcoming events, please click here.
The Emperor’s Birthday Reception was held on 1 December at the official residence of Consul-General Ms Haneda. The reception was attended by around 300 people, including representatives of the State Government and the Opposition, members of Parliament, local governments, Consular Corps in Melbourne, cultural and educational organisations and business communities from Japan and Australia.
Consul-General Haneda made a speech, followed by congratulatory remarks by Mr Hong Lim MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Asia Engagement, on behalf of the Premier, and Mr Brad Battin MP on behalf of the Opposition.
During the reception the guests had the opportunity to enjoy a Wadaiko (Japanese drums) performance and participate in Japanese tea ceremonies. Free samples of sake, Japanese beer, umeshu (plum wine), and Japanese probiotic dairy drink were offered as part of the refreshments. Sushi and onigiri (rice balls) made from Japanese rice were offered to the guests. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne displayed their members' goods including a Japanese invented hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and distributed a range of free samples to guests in the evening.
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On 17 November, Consul-General Ms Keiko Haneda hosted a reception to welcome recently returned JET Programme participants at her official residence. The reception was attended by Ms Judith Graley MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Mr Brad Battin MP, Shadow Minister for Environment and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan, and Mr Neil Angus MP, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Treasurer. Other attendees included members of the business and educational sectors, as well as many former JET Programme participants.
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On 13 September, Consul-General Haneda visited the Australian Ballet School. This year, four Japanese students are graduating from the school among other students. Congratulations!
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The Victorian Final of the 47th Japanese Language Speech Contest was held on Sunday, 11 September. An audience of over 200 people watched the 35 contestants speak about unique aspects of Japanese society and culture.
The National Final will be held on Saturday, 8 October 2016 at the Japan Foundation, Sydney, where the winners of the state and territory contests will compete.
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Photographs by Katsuyoshi Yabe.
Click the preview image above to read the full list of prize winners.
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On 22 August, Goldy, a mecha (robot anime) cosplayer and costume armour expert from Japan, gave a lecture and a workshop in Melbourne to talk about the Japanese subculture of cosplay and share his knowledge of advanced crafting skills. About 150 attended the lecture and lucky first 22 scored tickets to the workshop. Goldy visited Australia under the “Japan Brand Program”, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to promote understanding of Japanese culture.
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On Wednesday 10 August, the Consul-General, Ms Keiko Haneda, hosted a conferral ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon upon Mr Adam Wynn, Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Adelaide. The Decoration has been conferred by His Majesty the Emperor in recognition of Mr Wynn’s contribution to promoting exchange and friendly relations between Japan and Australia.
Many guests including His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le, Governor of South Australia attended the ceremony and celebrated the conferral of the Decoration on Mr Wynn.
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On 20 July, the Consul-General Ms Keiko Haneda hosted a reception to farewell 30 departing JET Programme participants at her official residence. The reception was attended by Ms Inga Peulich MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Shadow Minister for Scrutiny of Government.
The 2016 JET Programme participants departed on 23 July to commence their one-year contracts as Assistant Language Teachers (ALT) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) in Japan. This year a total of 55 new JET participants joined in the Programme from Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.
For information on the JET Programme, please visit the JET Programme website.
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On Wednesday 25 May, Consul-General Haneda attended the launch of International Mobility, Global Capitalism, and Changing Structures of Accumulation: Transforming the Japan-India IT Relationship at the Australia India Institute. The book was written by Professor Anthony P. D’Costa, the Chair of Contemporary Indian Studies at the University of Melbourne.
The Consul-General expressed her congratulations on the publication of the book, spoke about the shared political, economic and strategic interests of Japan and India. Professor Purnendra Jain of the University of Adelaide spoke about the rise of India and its expanding networks with Japan, and Professor D’Costa spoke about globalisation and the changing India-Japan IT relationship.
After a Q & A session, guests enjoyed a wine and cheese reception.
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On Friday 13 May, the Consul-General hosted at her official residence a reception celebrating the 45th anniversary of the Whitehorse-Matsudo sister city relationship. The mayors of Whitehorse and Matsudo attended, as well as councillors and citizens of both cities and other distinguished guests. Consul-General Haneda congratulated Whitehorse and Matsudo on their commitment and hard work in building the longest sister city relationship in Victoria and helping to deepen the Japan-Australia friendship. |
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On Wednesday 23 March, we hosted a Japan-Australia business seminar entitled "JAEPA: Uncovering the opportunities for Australian and Japanese businesses" at PwC Melbourne. The seminar attracted more than 130 guests, including representatives of business communities from Japan and Australia and the State Government. Professor Motoshige Itoh from Tokyo University focussed on the recent trend of Japanese economy and Abenomics. Other speakers included Sir Rod Eddington AO, President Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee, Mr Hirohida Gohda, Deputy Managing Director of Mitsubishi Australia and Ms Melanie Brock, Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan. We received positive feedback from the attendees on the speakers' discussions on the significance and effects of the JAEPA, including strengthening Japan-Australia business relations. The attendees also enjoyed Japanese plum liqueur kindly sponsored by Choya Umeshu Japan.
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On Monday 21 March, a tree planting ceremony to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Japan Society of Melbourne was held at Kings Domain, St Kilda Road. The ceremony was organised by the City of Melbourne and the Japan Society of Melbourne and attended by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley, Councillors of the City of Melbourne, President of the Japan Society of Melbourne Shinji Saga, Committee Members of the JSM, and Consul-General Keiko Haneda.
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On Wednesday 9 March, a reception to celebrate the conferral of the Order of the Rising Sun Silver Rays upon Mrs Fumiko Plaister was held at Hobart Town Hall. The reception was hosted by Hobart Lord Mayor Alderman Sue Hickey and attended by Consul-General Haneda, Mr Ray Groom AO, former Premier of Tasmania, and others. The Order was awarded last November by the Emperor of Japan for Mrs Plaister's distinguished service to the promotion of Japanese culture in Australia and for the strengthening the friendship between Australia and Japan including the advancement of the Hobart-Yaizu Sister City relationship.
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On Sunday 28 February, the 2016 Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival was held at Federation Square in Melbourne. The popularity of this annual event continues to grow, with this year's festival attracting a crowd of over 42,000.
Consul-General Haneda made an opening address at the event in which she praised the multicultural community of Melbourne and expressed her gratitude for the strong friendship between Australia and Japan. The festival attendees enjoyed terrific performances of taiko, guitar and shamisen, Okinawan music, various types of dance including the traditional summer festival dance, Bon Odori, and Japanese food and culture presented by festival stalls.
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On Friday 26 February, a lecture by Ms Kazuko Ito, Advisor of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was held at the official residence of Consul-General Haneda. The event was attended by around 30 sports-related people, including Mr Glenn Tasker, President of the Australian Paralympic Committee.
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On Monday 11 January, Consul-General Haneda attended a pep rally for Nishikori who is visiting Melbourne for the 2016 Australian Open Tennis Championship. Many supporters including the students from the Japanese School of Melbourne gathered at the rally held in Melbourne CBD. The tournament kicks off Monday 18 January.
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