[Embassy] Reception to celebrate the New Year 2025

On 23rd January 2025, Ambassador Mikami hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the New Year for the first time in seven years, with the attendance of a large number of Japanese residents in Belgium, including the members of the Japanese association, and various people who actively engage in such fields as business, international organizations, media, culture, and arts. In his New Year greetings, Ambassador Mikami expressed his gratitude to many Japanese people who are actively contributing to the friendships between Japan and Belgium as well as between Japan and Europe. Ambassador Mikami further asked for cooperation in order to further strengthen the friendship between Japan and Belgium, referring to the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai to be opened this April and the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Belgium in 2026. Ambassador Mikami added that the Embassy would continue to address diverse challenges faced by Japanese residents in Belgium and contribute to the development of the Japanese community in Belgium by supporting the safety and well-being of Japanese residents and their smooth activities in multiple fields. The New Year reception was attended by Ambassador Aikawa of the Mission of Japan to the European Union, which marks the 50th anniversary of its foundation, and Ambassador Izawa of the Mission of Japan to NATO which was inaugurated as an independent mission separate from the Embassy of Japan in Belgium this month.