Hosting the Thé de l'Amitié Belgo-Japonaise
2026/7/6
On 29th June, Ambassador and Mrs. Aikawa hosted the Thé de l'Amitié Belgo-Japonaise at the Ambassador's residence. The gathering was attended by a total of 19 participants, including Ambassador and Mrs. Osuga of the Embassy of Japan to Belgium and members of the association. The event opened with remarks by Ambassador and Mrs. Aikawa as hosts, followed by a speech by Ambassador Osuga, who also shared highlights of the recent visit to Belgium by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
The tea was accompanied by a concert performed by Trio Sol, a Brussels-based piano trio comprising musicians from Luxembourg, Japan and Tajikistan — violinist Natsumi Dempo, cellist Mario Vander Linden, and pianist Jannat Huseinzoda. Over approximately 40 minutes, the trio performed Debussy's Piano Trio as well as pieces beloved in Japan and Belgium. Founded in September 2025, Trio Sol has already made their mark on the Belgian chamber music scene, and their performance on this occasion was very well received by all those present. Following the concert, guests enjoyed sweets and confections prepared by the residence chef.
* Thé de l’Amitié Belgo-Japonaise was created by the wife of the Ambassador of Japan to Belgium in 1971. By doing so, she was responding to the request of an experienced and enthusiast group of Japanese art collectors that had gathered since 1968 to exchange their respective cultural experiences relating to Japan. The association aims to promote inter-cultural exchange between Belgian and Japanese citizens through “Thé de l’Amitié Belgo-Japonaise” meetings.
The tea was accompanied by a concert performed by Trio Sol, a Brussels-based piano trio comprising musicians from Luxembourg, Japan and Tajikistan — violinist Natsumi Dempo, cellist Mario Vander Linden, and pianist Jannat Huseinzoda. Over approximately 40 minutes, the trio performed Debussy's Piano Trio as well as pieces beloved in Japan and Belgium. Founded in September 2025, Trio Sol has already made their mark on the Belgian chamber music scene, and their performance on this occasion was very well received by all those present. Following the concert, guests enjoyed sweets and confections prepared by the residence chef.
* Thé de l’Amitié Belgo-Japonaise was created by the wife of the Ambassador of Japan to Belgium in 1971. By doing so, she was responding to the request of an experienced and enthusiast group of Japanese art collectors that had gathered since 1968 to exchange their respective cultural experiences relating to Japan. The association aims to promote inter-cultural exchange between Belgian and Japanese citizens through “Thé de l’Amitié Belgo-Japonaise” meetings.