Garden Party Reception 2023（at the Ambassador’s residence）
2023/9/12
On the sunny evening of 5th September, Ambassador Yasushi MASAKI hosted a garden party to welcome the EU’s decision to lift import restrictions on Japanese food products last month. The event was attended by H.R.H Princess Lea, approximately 200 people from the European Union institutions, Representatives of EU member states, Ambassadors of other missions to the EU, delegations, experts, Japanese private companies and members of the Japanese and international press, among others.
At the start of the event, Ambassador MASAKI made opening remarks and expressed his expectations for the further development of Japan-EU cooperation in a wide range of fields. In addition, the Ambassador welcomed the EU’s decision to lift import restrictions on Japanese food products, and expressed his optimism that people in the EU will now have more opportunities to enjoy food and drinks from Fukushima and neighbouring regions.
Following that, Fukushima Governor Masao UCHIBORI expressed his own gratitude in a video message after which guests joined Ambassador MASAKI in raising a glass of beautiful Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Sake from Fukushima to toast a strengthened Japan-EU friendship.
At the start of the event, Ambassador MASAKI made opening remarks and expressed his expectations for the further development of Japan-EU cooperation in a wide range of fields. In addition, the Ambassador welcomed the EU’s decision to lift import restrictions on Japanese food products, and expressed his optimism that people in the EU will now have more opportunities to enjoy food and drinks from Fukushima and neighbouring regions.
Following that, Fukushima Governor Masao UCHIBORI expressed his own gratitude in a video message after which guests joined Ambassador MASAKI in raising a glass of beautiful Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Sake from Fukushima to toast a strengthened Japan-EU friendship.
The Fukushima Prefecture booth was organized by prefectural officers, who visited Belgium especially for the party. They offered local specialities such as sake, desserts with peach compote, sweets made with dried persimmons and dishes with bonito. Guests could also discover local crafts such as Okiagari Koboshi and receive information on the region.
Sake Company Luxembourg explained the outlook of the sake sector, and offered guests a pairing of sake and cheese, as well as sake from the Hyogo Prefecture. The guests enjoyed the sake tasting experience, which is not yet well-known in Europe.
Tourist Information was provided by JNTO along with information on flights from Brussels and the EU to Japan with ANA and JAL.
Also exhibited to guests were the LexusRZ - the first Lexus electric car from Toyota Europe, Daikin Europe’s heat pump air conditioners, Nitto’s hydrogen detection tapes, and Kaneka Belgium’s Green Planet. These stands showed the contribution of various Japanese companies to achieving the SDGs.