Emperor's Birthday Reception 2025
2025/2/21
Ambassador-designate Shimada’s speech
Welcome greeting from Deputy Ó Fearghaíl
On 21 February, the Emperor’s Birthday Reception took place at the Ambassador’s official residence. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador-designate, and his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada, welcomed approximately one hundred guests to the reception, beginning with former Ceann Comhairle Mr. Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD and former Ambassador of Ireland to Japan Mr. Paul Kavanagh and including Irish Government officials, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps in Ireland, and representatives from academia, culture and sport and businesses and organisations based in Ireland.
At the beginning of the reception, there was a powerful taiko (Japanese drum) performance by Experience Japan Taiko Team, a group involved in the promotion of taiko and Japanese culture in Ireland, a Miko-Kagura dance performed by Ms. Kaai Onozaki, Economic Researcher/Adviser at the Embassy of Japan who has experience as a Miko (shrine maiden) in Japan, and students from St. Cronan’s Senior National School, an Irish primary school where Japanese is taught, sang beautiful renditions of the Japanese and Irish national anthems. This was followed by congratulatory remarks to His Majesty The Emperor on his 65th birthday from Charge d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Norimasa Yoshida and afterwards a greeting from Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, who led a delegation of Ireland-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group members to Japan in 2022. Finally, Ambassador-designate Shimada spoke about the many events coming up in both Japan and Ireland that will enhance understanding between the two countries, starting with Osaka Kansai Expo and the opening of Ireland House in Tokyo this year, as well as the broadcasting on NHK of the TV drama series "Baké Baké" in October, focusing on Irishman Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and his Japanese wife, and he expressed his hope that these events will further strengthen exchanges between the two countries and take the Japan-Ireland relationship to an even higher level..
Promotional materials about the events taking places in both countries were displayed, such as a promotional video for the Osaka Kansai Expo and a preview video of Ireland House, and the reception was a great opportunity for the invited guests to experience the charms of Japan while enjoying sake and Japanese food.
Ambassador-designate Shimada’s Speech
At the beginning of the reception, there was a powerful taiko (Japanese drum) performance by Experience Japan Taiko Team, a group involved in the promotion of taiko and Japanese culture in Ireland, a Miko-Kagura dance performed by Ms. Kaai Onozaki, Economic Researcher/Adviser at the Embassy of Japan who has experience as a Miko (shrine maiden) in Japan, and students from St. Cronan’s Senior National School, an Irish primary school where Japanese is taught, sang beautiful renditions of the Japanese and Irish national anthems. This was followed by congratulatory remarks to His Majesty The Emperor on his 65th birthday from Charge d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Norimasa Yoshida and afterwards a greeting from Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, who led a delegation of Ireland-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group members to Japan in 2022. Finally, Ambassador-designate Shimada spoke about the many events coming up in both Japan and Ireland that will enhance understanding between the two countries, starting with Osaka Kansai Expo and the opening of Ireland House in Tokyo this year, as well as the broadcasting on NHK of the TV drama series "Baké Baké" in October, focusing on Irishman Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) and his Japanese wife, and he expressed his hope that these events will further strengthen exchanges between the two countries and take the Japan-Ireland relationship to an even higher level..
Promotional materials about the events taking places in both countries were displayed, such as a promotional video for the Osaka Kansai Expo and a preview video of Ireland House, and the reception was a great opportunity for the invited guests to experience the charms of Japan while enjoying sake and Japanese food.
Ambassador-designate Shimada’s Speech
Taiko performance
National anthems by St. Cronan’s Senior National School
Ambassador-designate and Mrs. Shimada with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl and Mrs. Deirdre Morrisroe
Ambassador-designate and Mrs. Shimada with Mr. Paul Kavanagh and Mrs. Rosemary Kavanagh
Kagura dance