84th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

On December 7, 2017, Ambassador of Japan and Mrs Hayashi organised a reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at Ambassador’s residence in Brussels. A large number of guests attended, including H.E.Mr. Siegfried Bracke, President of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Belgium-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association, as well as representatives of the Belgian government, businessmen, diplomatic representatives, and staff of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In his speech, Ambassador Hayashi mentioned that, this year a number of important visits were made by governors, mayors, senior government officials, business leaders between Japan and Belgium, including the visit of Mr. Bracke to Japan in February, the visit of Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and his wife to Brussels in July, and the visit of Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, to Japan in October, which contributed to further strengthening bilateral relations following the 150th anniversary of friendship last year. Ambassador Hayashi mentioned that exchanges between the two countries were also developing in the field of arts and sciences, and expressed his gratitude for the support and cooperation extended by many people, including those who were present at the reception.

H.E.Mr. Bracke then expressed in his speech that he wished to strengthen cooperative relations in variety of areas with Japan, which was a key partner for the Kingdom of Belgium, and proposed a toast to celebrate this occasion.

In the reception, Japanese food made by Mr. Kikuchihara, chef de cuisine of the Ambassador’s residence, and different kinds of Japanese sake were served to the guests. Also a presentation stand of Kanazawa city, a sister city of Ghent, was set up with art objects, where the guests could enjoy the cultural heritage of Kanazawa city, including the technique of gold leaves covering.