Embassy of Japan in Kenya


Guests being welcomed by H.E Ambassador Shigeo Iwatani and the Minister, Seiji Okada together with their spouses	H.E Ambassador Shigeo Iwatani delivering his Speech

Each year the people of Japan at home and abroad celebrate His Majesty Emperor Akihito’s Birthday on December 23, national holiday of Japan. For the Japanese His Majesty Emperor is the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people.

On December 2, 2009, His Majesty’s 76th birthday reception, so called national day of Japan, was held at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Nairobi. This year is very special, as it coincides with the twentieth anniversary of His Majesty Emperor Akihito’s accession to the throne and also the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. In commemoration for this, the 26 minute DVDs depicting the daily activities and lifestyles of Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko was screened via the large television sets inside the residence and at the front garden, venue of the reception.

The reception was attended by more than 300 invited guests including Kenyan Government officials, ambassadors and high commissioners, fellow Kenyans, mass media, and members of the Japanese community. They were all so jovial and in the mood to have a good time on this beautiful and crisp day.

In a prelude to the official ceremony, there was a performance conducted by the Karate club with the guide of the instructor Mr. Tamura. They demonstrated the different forms (katas) and techniques of karate. Their speedy and tactful motion fascinated the invited guests and invoked thunderous applauds to them. The invited guests were also intrigued to see Karate also performed by non Japanese.


The wives of the Japanese diplomats wearing Kimono, traditional and formal attire of Japanese women	Karate Demonstration by the instructor Mr. Tamura and Karate Club Members

In his opening speech at the official ceremony, while extending a warm welcome to every invited guest, H.E. Shigeo Iwatani, Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, briefed about the daily activities of His Majesty Emperor, such as the engagement with foreign dignitaries who visit Japan and his official trips abroad. Then he referred to the new Government of Japan and confirmed the fulfillment of the commitment in the TICAD(Tokyo International Conference on African Development) IV that the Government of Japan has made, in particular the doubling of her ODA to Africa within the next five years.

In turn, Hon. Moses Wetangula, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was one of the representatives of the Government of Kenya to the ceremony, touched upon the relations between Kenya and Japan and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the significant Japanese economic assistance to Kenya over the decades.

Mr. Dennis Awori, former Ambassador of Kenya to Japan, who took the podium after, talked about the warm hospitality extended by Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to the diplomatic corps in Tokyo including himself during his past five year tenure of office. In summation, he strongly urged everybody present the ceremony to visit beautiful and culturally rich Japan.

Later, all the invited guests were served with sake, Japanese rice wine, and the sumptuous Japanese foods including tempura(deep-fried fish and vegetable), sushi (vinegared rice topped with raw fish), sukiyaki(sliced beef and vegetables cooked at the table in a shallow pan), yakitori(grilled chicken), curry rice, and barbecue. Sake and these Japanese foods excited the guests and they had to make a long queue before reaching and enjoying a taste of the various delicacies.


The Ambassador chatting with guests	Guests being served with various kinds of foods

The reception was enriched by the presentation of the traditional Japanese arts. i.e. Ikebana and Origami. A procession of the invited guests were ushered into the residence to observe the splendid display of Ikebana(flower arrangement) and many miniature animals folded by colored paper(called Origami) were displayed and demonstrated at the garden.


Ikebana display at the reception	Origami Demonstration by Mr. David

The entire function was covered by the reporters of some local TVs and daily newspapers.

Hanami (Flower Viewing)

Koinobori (Carp Streamers)

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Japan Brief is an original production of the Foreign Press Centre, Japan and does not represent the views of the Government of Japan or that of any other body

Embassy of Japan in Kenya 在ケニア日本国大使館

Embassy of Japan in Kenya
在ケニア日本国大使館