His Majesty the Emperor's Birthday Reception (20th February)
2020/3/9
On the 20th February, to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, a reception was held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh – the first such reception since the beginning of the new Reiwa era.
Over 350 attendees included: Presiding Officer Ken Mackintosh; Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell; The Lord Selkirk of Douglas, James Douglas Hamilton; Deidre Brock MP; Douglas Chapman MP; Convener of the Cross Party Group on Japan in the Scottish Parliament, Dean Lockhart MSP — as well as other guests from the political, business, academic, and arts communities, and members of the Consular Corps.
In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka reviewed the positive developments in the relations between Japan and Scotland and North England over the past year and noted the forthcoming state visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK. He also expressed his gratitude to many people engaged in promoting bilateral relations.
Presiding Officer Ken Mackintosh expressed his hope to greater promote exchanges between the Japanese and Scottish Parliaments.
Cabinet Secretary Michael Russell revealed that attending this reception was his first engagement since being appointed as Secretary for External Affairs. He expressed his hope to continue promoting relations with Japan and that the Japanese businesses located in Scotland will continue to operate here after Brexit.
As last year, representatives of the Japanese companies active in Scotland, namely Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning, Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe, and Canon Medical Research, displayed their products and activities.
With fresh Japanese draft beer from Asahi Breweries, the evening became an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn about Japanese technology and the charm of Japanese food.
Over 350 attendees included: Presiding Officer Ken Mackintosh; Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, Michael Russell; The Lord Selkirk of Douglas, James Douglas Hamilton; Deidre Brock MP; Douglas Chapman MP; Convener of the Cross Party Group on Japan in the Scottish Parliament, Dean Lockhart MSP — as well as other guests from the political, business, academic, and arts communities, and members of the Consular Corps.
In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka reviewed the positive developments in the relations between Japan and Scotland and North England over the past year and noted the forthcoming state visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK. He also expressed his gratitude to many people engaged in promoting bilateral relations.
Presiding Officer Ken Mackintosh expressed his hope to greater promote exchanges between the Japanese and Scottish Parliaments.
Cabinet Secretary Michael Russell revealed that attending this reception was his first engagement since being appointed as Secretary for External Affairs. He expressed his hope to continue promoting relations with Japan and that the Japanese businesses located in Scotland will continue to operate here after Brexit.
As last year, representatives of the Japanese companies active in Scotland, namely Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning, Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe, and Canon Medical Research, displayed their products and activities.
With fresh Japanese draft beer from Asahi Breweries, the evening became an excellent opportunity for visitors to learn about Japanese technology and the charm of Japanese food.
