Opening of the Chrysanthemum Festival

On 30 September, Ambassador Ishii and his wife, together with Ms. Kurihara, attended the opening of the Chrysanthemum Festival at the Japanese Garden of Hasselt. The city of Hasselt is the sister city of Itami. As part of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium, works of a Belgian floral artist Thomas De Bruyne and a work of Japanese floral artist Naoki Sasaki were featured at this year’s Chrysanthemum Festival. Furthermore, the unveiling ceremony of the “Peace Bell” was held at the same time to wish for the further development of Japanese-Belgian friendship. Ambassador Ishii, Deputy-Mayor of Hasselt Ms. Mondelaers and Governor of the Province of Limburg Mr. Reynders, each struck the bell which has an inscription: “by sounding this bell we pray for peace and friendship in the world”.