Address from Consul General Takaoka: Lecture by Professor Will Reed at the University of Edinburgh

2019/5/21
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Nozomu Takaoka, Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh.
It is always a pleasure and honor for me and my wife to join always great events arranged by our Great Shogun Mr. Ronnie Watt, this time hosted by the esteemed Japan Society of Scotland.  Thank you very much for inviting us.

Today’s event, in particular, is such a joyous occasion because as is widely reported, yesterday was the day when His Majesty the Emperor of Japan was enthroned and the new Japanese Era of Reiwa started. People shared this once in a generation opportunity in the most jubilatory mood in Japan and I am very happy to share this feeling of celebration with all of you later with Japanese Sake.

I should also like to inform you that a sign book will be prepared to celebrate the enthronement next week at the Consulate in Melville Crescent from Tuesday 7 to Friday 10. For details, please check our official website.

Therefore, it is my great honour to be able to listen to the lecture given by Professor Will Reed kindly joining us coming all the way from Japan. His valuable insight into Japanese spirit and culture benefited us enormously so that we can understand Japan even deeper and appreciate the arrival of the Reiwa Era even more.

Therefore, I would like you to join me in raising a glass in appreciation of the great lecture by Professor Reed,  in anticipation of stronger Japan-Scotland friendship in this new era of Reiwa and happy and prosperous life for everybody present here in the Reiwa Era. Kanpai!