Hosting of the Emperor's Birthday Reception
2026/2/18
On Wednesday 18th February, the Emperor’s Birthday Reception was hosted by Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda at Edinburgh Academy.
On the day, the event began with a performance of Japan’s national anthem by shakuhachi player Shozan Hasegawa, and was attended by many people. Attendees included local diplomatic corps, members of the academic, cultural and sports sectors, representatives of local businesses, members of the Scottish Parliament such as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone MSP, and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray MSP, and government figures such as Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge.
On the day, the event began with a performance of Japan’s national anthem by shakuhachi player Shozan Hasegawa, and was attended by many people. Attendees included local diplomatic corps, members of the academic, cultural and sports sectors, representatives of local businesses, members of the Scottish Parliament such as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone MSP, and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray MSP, and government figures such as Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge.
Consul General Takeda greeted attendees, and reflected on the cooperation, social and cultural activities that happened in the Consulate’s jurisdiction of Scotland and the North of England within the last year. He talked about three Scottish government ministers visit to the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 which was held last year, economic cooperation including new investments by Japanese companies, along with cultural, educational and sporting exchanges, and welcomed the continued deepening of relations with Japan. Subsequently, Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, Alison Johnstone MSP and Neil Gray MSP gave congratulatory speeches and told stories of their connection with Japan.
Afterwards, performers from the new opera "The Great Wave" performed "Auld Lang Syne" (known in Japan as "Hotaru no Hikari"), a poem by Scotland's most famous poet Robert Burns, which was accompanied by the shakuhachi and the audience singing along.
The guests were treated to sushi and Japanese sake, allowing them to a valuable chance to experience the cuisine of Japan.
Afterwards, performers from the new opera "The Great Wave" performed "Auld Lang Syne" (known in Japan as "Hotaru no Hikari"), a poem by Scotland's most famous poet Robert Burns, which was accompanied by the shakuhachi and the audience singing along.
The guests were treated to sushi and Japanese sake, allowing them to a valuable chance to experience the cuisine of Japan.
