Hosting of the Emperor’s Birthday Reception (7th March 2023)
2023/3/31
The Consul General's Opening Address
Congratulatory Address by Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone
Congratulatory address by Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee
Consul General Fujiwara and Mrs. Fujiwara with Presiding Officer Johnstone and Minister McKee
Ikebana Display by Deborah Hathorn of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana
| On the 7th of March 2023, a reception honouring the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor was held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. This was the first time the event had been held in 3 years owing to the pandemic. The reception was attended by over 270 guests who represented a wide-range of fields such as government, business, academia, the arts and various diplomatic missions in Scotland. This included The Rt. Hon Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise. In Consul General Tadashi Fujiwara’s opening address, he looked back on the significant developments in the relationship between Japan and Scotland, as well as the North of England, since the last reception. This has included new investments in renewable energy, the strengthening of economic ties, increased cooperation with local councils and the resumption of cultural exchange following the pandemic. The Consul General further expressed his delight at the deepening of this relationship and expressed his gratitude to those involved in doing so. Congratulatory addresses were then delivered by the Presiding Officer and Minister McKee. |
