26 January 2015

On the evening of 15 January (Thursday), Ambassador Tsuji hosted a New Year’s Reception at his residence. The reception was attended by approximately 140 persons from the Japanese community in the Netherlands as well as from the Dutch Government, municipalities, institutions and enterprises which have close relationship with Japan.

At the reception, Ambassador Tsuji expressed his New Year greetings. Then State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Daishiro Yamagiwa, emphasized the importance of further strengthening of the Japanese-Dutch economic relationship, referring to the economic mission accompanying the visit of Their Majesties the King Willem-Alexander and the Queen Máxima to Japan in October last year. Mr. Hiroshi Tamai, the president elect of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCC) in the Netherlands, made a speech on behalf of the guests. After all the speeches, Mr. Yamagiwa, Mr. Tamai, Mr. S.J. van der Goot (Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Rotterdam), and Ambassador Tsuji performed kagamibiraki, the traditional sake barrel-opening ceremony. Thereupon, Ambassador Tsuji invited everyone to raise their glass for a New Year’s toast.

In the reception hall, there was also Japanese sake tasting and the guests celebrated the new year together in an amiable atmosphere.

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