Japan Day 2016 in Antwerp

On October 21, the Port of Antwerp, sister port of Nagoya, held the “Japan Day 2016”, a special business and cultural program, as part of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium. While the business seminar was held at the port house (the main offices of the port authorities) which has been expanded by Zaha Hadid Architects, a cultural programme was held at the same time at the MAS museum.

The event was concluded with a concert at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, in the presence of Ambassador Ishii, Mrs Ishii, Minister Yamada and Ms. Kurihara. Mr. Marc Van Peel, Ambassador of the Port of Antwerp and Ambassador Ishii gave welcoming speeches at the start of the concert. In the majestic atmosphere of the cathedral, the attendants enjoyed the church music of Bach and others, as well as Japanese songs such as “Sakura”, “Sakura Yoko-Cho” and “Karamatsu”, followed by “The Madonna of Nagasaki”, sung by a Belgian-Japanse soprano singer. The port concert was organized by Mrs. Lies Van Pelt.