Online Emperor’s Birthday Celebration (February 23rd)
2021/3/19
On 23 February, an online reception was hosted to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday. The number of guests able to view the video exceeded attendance at receptions in previous years, giving even more guests the opportunity to wish His Majesty a happy birthday and discover more about Japan.
The video included greetings from Consul General Nozomu Takaoka, followed by messages from Presiding Officer Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution Europe & External Affairs Michael Russell MSP, and Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution Europe & External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP.
This was followed by presentations of the achievements of the Japan-Scotland relationship over the past year, kindly provided by those involved.
These included a video featured the Seeds of Hope Gingko tree planting ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh last summer; a warm message from Mr. Ronnie Watt OBE, Karate master and the 2010 recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun; an introduction to the Japanese Garden at Cowden Castle; a kind message from Professor. Ian Gow, President of the Japan-Scotland Society; and encouraging message from President of the Orkney Japan Society, Liam McArthur MSP.
In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka said that although the world has changed dramatically over the past year due to the effects of the new coronavirus, the friendship between people has remained constant. The Consul General drew attention to three values that embody Japanese history and culture – Resilience, Peace of Mind, and International Friendship – that he believes will aid in the recovery of this difficult period.
The video included greetings from Consul General Nozomu Takaoka, followed by messages from Presiding Officer Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution Europe & External Affairs Michael Russell MSP, and Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution Europe & External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP.
This was followed by presentations of the achievements of the Japan-Scotland relationship over the past year, kindly provided by those involved.
These included a video featured the Seeds of Hope Gingko tree planting ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh last summer; a warm message from Mr. Ronnie Watt OBE, Karate master and the 2010 recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun; an introduction to the Japanese Garden at Cowden Castle; a kind message from Professor. Ian Gow, President of the Japan-Scotland Society; and encouraging message from President of the Orkney Japan Society, Liam McArthur MSP.
In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka In his remarks, Consul General Takaoka said that although the world has changed dramatically over the past year due to the effects of the new coronavirus, the friendship between people has remained constant. The Consul General drew attention to three values that embody Japanese history and culture – Resilience, Peace of Mind, and International Friendship – that he believes will aid in the recovery of this difficult period.
