Ambassador Takeuchi hosted His Majesty the Emperor's Birthday Reception

 
 

On December 10, 2009, Ambassador Takeuchi hosted at his residence the reception celebrating the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor.  About 550 guests, including H.E. Isaac Herzog, Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Hon. M.K. Shai Hermesh, Chairman of Israel-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Union, Hon. M.K. Gideon Ezra, Former Minister of the Environmental Protection, Hon. M.K. Amnon Cohen, Hon. M.K. Yoel Hasson, Hon. M.K. Abraham Michaeli, Hon. M.K. Moshe Mutz Matalon, Hon. M.K. Anastassia Michaeli and, Hon. M.K. Yariv Levin attended the evening.

 

Year 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty the Emperor and the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.  Ambassador Takeuchi expressed in his speech (see full text) the gratitude of the Japanese people to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress for their role in the life of the nation and prayed for their continued health and happiness.  Ambassador Takeuchi also reviewed various cultural activities related to Japan in year 2009, including the first annual Japanese language speech contest organized by the University of Haifa in May and the cultural event “Tanabata” organized jointly by the municipality of Holon and the Israel-Japan Friendship Society in July.

The guest of honor, Minister Isaac Herzog, in his reply welcomed the development of friendly relation between Israel and Japan, and spoke fondly of his family’s tie with Japan; his father, H.E. President Chaim Herzog attended the coronation ceremony of His Majesty the Emperor in 1991 as well as the funeral ceremony of Emperor Showa in 1989.  He also expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the Government of Japan in preparation of the accession of Israel to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

 

Click here  for Ambassador's Speech on the occasion