Headlines
2020/2/4
Reception to celebrate the New Year and the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement
1. On 23 January 2020, Ambassador Kodama hosted a reception to celebrate the New Year and the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Guests included officials from the EU institutions and the diplomatic corps in Brussels, as well as guests from Japanese companies.
2. In his speech, Ambassador Kodama delivered celebratory remarks for the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Japan-EU EPA which reaffirmed the significance of the Agreement by highlighting what it has achieved in increasing the trade volume for the past year. Following his speech, Commissioner Breton (Internal Market), and Mr. Silva Pereira, Vice-President of the European Parliament, gave speeches followed by “Kagami-biraki” (Japanese sake barrel opening ceremony).
3. Commemorating the 1st anniversary of Japan-EU EPA, with the support of Japanese experts promoting sake in various European cities, the reception provided the guests with an experience pairing Japanese sake and European cheese, which was well received by the attending guests. Also, guests enjoyed traditional Japanese New Year cuisine cooked by the chef to Ambassador Kodama.
4. During the celebrations, koto player Ms. Aki Sato and saxophone player Ms. Yuina Takamizo treated guests to a graceful performance of the song “Spring Sea”.
2. In his speech, Ambassador Kodama delivered celebratory remarks for the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Japan-EU EPA which reaffirmed the significance of the Agreement by highlighting what it has achieved in increasing the trade volume for the past year. Following his speech, Commissioner Breton (Internal Market), and Mr. Silva Pereira, Vice-President of the European Parliament, gave speeches followed by “Kagami-biraki” (Japanese sake barrel opening ceremony).
3. Commemorating the 1st anniversary of Japan-EU EPA, with the support of Japanese experts promoting sake in various European cities, the reception provided the guests with an experience pairing Japanese sake and European cheese, which was well received by the attending guests. Also, guests enjoyed traditional Japanese New Year cuisine cooked by the chef to Ambassador Kodama.
4. During the celebrations, koto player Ms. Aki Sato and saxophone player Ms. Yuina Takamizo treated guests to a graceful performance of the song “Spring Sea”.