On Tuesday 1 December, Consul-General Takaoka held a reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at the Consul-General’s Residence. Guests were able to experience a Japanese-style reception which included the custom of Kagami-biraki (opening the wooden top of a sake barrel with wooden mallets for the wishing of good fortune and harmony).
Approximately 270 guests attended the celebrations from various fields including Mr Michael Miller, representing the Governor of New South Wales, The Honourable John Ajaka, Minister for Multiculturalism representing the Premier of New South Wales, The Honourable Tom Bathurst, Chief Justice of New South Wales, members of embassies, universities and Australian and Japanese companies, as well as members of the Japanese community. CLAIR set up a booth for the event and provided information regarding Japanese tourism by introducing the City of Nagoya and the cherry blossom season in Japan.