Event Gallery - 2013 Archive

31st Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest
Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday 17 December, the Awards Ceremony for the 31st Japan-Australia Relations Essay Contest, open to high school students nationally, was held at the Official Residence of the Consulate-General. 10 of the 14 winners from NSW attended the ceremony along with their parents, teachers and principals. The students were awarded their prizes and a certificate of commendation by Acting Consul-General Mr Toshiaki Kobayashi.

The First Prize winners in the Junior B and Senior divisions went to Mr Timothy Eddy, of Southern Cross K-12, and Ms Cecilia Le, of Sydney Girls High School, respectively. Both winners receive a return airfare to Japan, donated by the Contest’s sponsor Japan Airlines.

We would once again like to thank all the official sponsors of the Essay Contest and extend our Congratulations to the all the prize winners and their schools.

For the full list of 2013 prize winners, please visit the Embassy of Japan's website.

Japan Expo and Matsuri in Sydney
On Saturday 14 December at Tumbalong Park in Sydney, the Japan Expo and Matsuri was a great success. A very good crowd enjoyed the day. The event was organised by the Japan Club of Sydney, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Japanese Society in Sydney, Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) and the Japan Foundation in collaboration with the Consulate-General of Japan.

From the Consulate, Acting Consul-General Kobayashi gave the opening address, and at the Traditional Japan booth the consulate supported Mrs Kuniko Nakano give an ikebana demonstration which was very well received.

Tokyo Travel & Food Seminar
On 12 December, Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducted a ‘Tokyo Travel & Food Seminar’ in Sydney to introduce Tokyo’s cuisine and tourist attractions. In his speech at the seminar, Acting Consul-General Toshiaki Kobayashi explained that Tokyo is a city which blends the convenience of modern living with historic culture and traditions. He also spoke of the ties of friendship that are formed through the sister-state relationship between Tokyo and NSW.

Reception for 2013 JET Programme Returnees and JET Alumni Association NSW

On 11 December, a reception was held at the official residence to welcome home JET participants who returned to Sydney in 2013. Members of JETAA NSW also attended..

Emperor's Birthday Reception
The Emperor’s Birthday Reception was held under clear skies on 3 December. After the Japanese and Australian National Anthems were played, Acting Consul-General Kobayashi gave a speech in which he looked back over 2013 noting developments in a wide range of fields including politics, economics and culture. This was followed by the Deputy Premier of NSW the Hon. Andrew Stoner’s speech and the toast.

Around 270 people attended the event and conversation flourished.

Naomi Campbell at the consul-general’s residence –
a tea ceremony and donation
On 30 November, international supermodel Naomi Campbell visited the consul-general’s residence and took part in a tea ceremony performed by Urasenke Tankokai in Sydney. It was a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere, and Naomi said that she would ‘just like to go through the day like this’.

After the ceremony, it was announced that Naomi’s charity ‘Fashion For Relief’ was donating 191,000 pounds (approximately AUD343,000) in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster. In her remarks, Naomi spoke warmly of how she had always felt welcome in Japan, a country that had been important in her career. The donation will be passed on by the consulate to the Japanese Red Cross.

Seminar for junior high school students in Suginami
On 18 October, junior high school students from Suginami (a ward in Tokyo) visited the consulate. Acting Consul-General Toshiaki Kobayashi gave an overview of Australia and introduced the role of the consulate-general.

20th Anniversary of the Sister City Relationship Between Hurstville and Shiroishi City

On 30 September, Acting Consul-General Toshiaki Kobayashi attended the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Hurstville and Shiroishi City. In his remarks, Mr Kobayashi congratulated the two parties on their 20 years of exchange and expressed his hope that Japan-Australia sister-city relationships, which go back 50 years, would develop even further in the future.

Japan Endless Discovery Seminar
On 10 September, a tourism seminar was held in Sydney by Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Toyama, Takayama, Okinawa and Hiroshima. Acting Consul-General Toshiaki Kobayashi told participants that visitors to Japan could enjoy different scenery at any time of the year thanks to Japan’s four distinct seasons.

CLAIR Forum 2013
On 5 August, the Consul-General attended the Japan- Australia Sister Cities 50th Anniversary Forum, and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the grassroots exchange which began with Lismore and Yamatotakada. The forum looked at the history of sister cities between Australia and Japan.

JET Programme Farewell Reception

On 16 July, a reception for the 27th JET Programme participations and member of JETAA NSW was held at the Consul-General's official residence. The Consul-General encouraged participants who travelled to Japan in late July.

Wakayama Soirée
On 7 May, Dr Kohara welcomed the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, Mr Yoshinobu Nisaka, to his official residence where a Wakayama promotional event was held using umeshu (Japanese plum wine) and food products from the prefecture.

Award Ceremony for Shinji Ono, Western Sydney Wanderers FC
On 23 April, an award ceremony for Shinji Ono, marquee player for Western Sydney Wanderers FC, was held at the residence of the Consul-General. In a speech at the ceremony, Consul-General Kohara commended Mr Ono for his active role in creating a bridge between Australia and Japan through soccer.

JS Shirase

From 18 to 24 March, the Icebreaker JS Shirase docked at the Port of Sydney, and the Consul-General Dr. Kohara received a salute on board.

Captain Matsuda, Commanding Officer of the JS Shirase, presented a medal to the Consul-General.

2013 NSW State Open Championships
From 15 to 17 March, 2013 NSW State Open Championships Individual was held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, and the Consulate-General Dr. Kohara encouraged the Japanese athletes.

Japan Cultural Expo
On 9 February, the Consul-General attended the opening ceremony for the Japan Cultural Expo at the Dundas Community Centre

30th Japan-Australia Relations Essay Awards

On 31 January, the Awards Ceremony for the NSW/NT winners of 30th Australia-Japan Relations Essay Contest was held at the Consul-General's official residence.

Reception for 2012 JET Programme Returnees and JET Alumni Association NSW
On 22 January, a reception for the 2012 JET Programme returnees and members of JETAA NSW was held at the Consul-General's official residence.