Headline

On 17th January 2017, the Mission of Japan to the EU hosted a reception for the arrival of Ambassador Kodama and a celebration of the New Year. The guests of the reception included officials from the EU institutions and the diplomatic corps in Brussels, as well as guests from Japanese companies. At the beginning of the evening, Ambassador Kodama gave a speech during which he touched upon the future relationship between Japan and the EU, Brexit, and other issues which world faces in 2017. He also expressed his best wishes for the New Year. Following his speech, Ambassador Grahammer, Permanent Representative of Austria to the EU, and Ambassador De Gooijer, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the EU, joined Ambassador Kodama for “Kagami-wari”(the Japanese sake barrel opening ceremony). At the reception, guests enjoyed a quartet played by students from the Conservatoire Royal de Mons, Japanese traditional New Year cuisines and sake.