Ikebana Demonstartion
On 9th February, 2010, Ikebana Demonstration & Workshop by Ms. Rika Arai, Sogetsu School Instructor, was held at the Consul General’s residence.
Wives of businessmen and university professors, wives of Consuls General and media reporters totaling 30 women, participated in this cultural function.
The participants were looking with keen interest at the performance of Ikebana made by Ms. Arai. All the participants experienced by themselves Ikebana arrangements under the guidance of Ms. Arai. Many of them expressed their appreciation of this function by saying that it was a wonderful opportunity for them to learn a lot about the art of Ikebana.
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| Mrs.Ishigure, delivering a speech |
Ikebana demonstartion |
Ikebana demonstartion |
Ikebana demonstartion |
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| Ikebana |
Workshop for participants |
Ms. Rika Arai, Sogetsu School Instructor and wives of the Consulate-General staff |
3rd Asian Film Festival
From 17th February through 1st March 2010 “Asian Film Festival 2010” was held by the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC) in Jeddah. The inauguration of the Festival and the Japanese Film Show took place on 17th February in the official residence of the Japanese Consul General. In the inauguration ceremony, opening remarks were made by H.E. Mr. Toshimitsu Ishigure, Consul General of Japan, followed by unveiling of the Festival logo.
After a short break during which the visitors enjoyed the taste of Japanese shushi, yakitori and other food, H.E. Mr. Ishigure made a brief remark introducing the Japanese films followed by screening of the Japanese documentary entitled “Yokoso Japan” first, then the feature film entitled “Always Sunset on 3rd Street : Part II” (Director : Takashi Yamazaki).
Many audience from the Consular Corps, business circles, TV and newspapers, etc enjoyed the films and gave a burst of applause at the end of the feature film which, as they said, had greatly impressed them.
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| Invited guests |
H.E.Mr.Ishigure, giving an inaugural address |
Unveiling of 2010 Film Festival logo |
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| Invited guests enjoying the tast of Japanese sushi |
H.E.Mr.Ishigure, introducing the Japanese film |
The feature film screened at the Japanese Film Night |
Asian Food Festival
On 1st March, 2010, the last day of the 3rd Asian Film Festival, Asian Food Festival was held as one of the activities of the Film Festival at the pool-side of the Brunei Consulate-General in Jeddah. The Consulates General of 13 Asian countries participating in the Film Festival took part also in the Food Festival presenting some of their genuine national cuisines which they are proud of.
The venue was overwhelmingly crowded with over 250 attendants.
At the Japanese food corner, sushi, a renowned typical Japanese dish, was served and gained sweeping popularity among the guests who rushed to the Japanese corner and emptied all the sushi plates in a few minutes.
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| Sushi,typical Japanese dish |
Japanese food corner |
Venue of the food festival |
Lecture on Japan for MBO Members
On 2 May，the Consulate-General of Japan organized a lecture mainly for the members of Minaret Business Organization（MBO，A group of leading businessmen in Jeddah）who are scheduled to visit Japan to study Japanese culture and economic situation for a week starting from 13 May．
The lecturer was Dr．Hassan Abdulmouti，General Manager，Abdul Latif Jameel Co．，Ltd．，and the title was “The Key to Japan's Competitive Success，Toyota Philosophy ”．At the outset，H．E．Mr．Toshimitsu Ishigure，Consul General of Japan，made an opening speech in which he welcomed the forthcoming visit of MBO members to Japan and expressed his hope that they could enhance their understanding of Japan through the lecture．
Following the lecture，the attendees were engaged in active interaction and exchange of views while enjoying the Japanese cuisine at the dinner hosted by H．E．Mr．Ishigure at the garden of his residence．
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| H.E.Mr.Isigure,making opening speech |
Dr.Abudulmouti, andrandience |
Mr.Alnouri,Chairman of MBO making a remark after the lecture |
The attendess enjoying the japanese cuisine |
SJAHI 7th Technical Skills Contest
The 7th students'“Technical Skills Contest” was held on 7th June,2010 at the Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute(SJAHI) in Jeddah.
About 250 Saudi students participated in this contest. They were divided into 5 teams which competed each other and demonstrated high skill and proficiency standards. It was clearly noticed that the level of this unique annual Contest advances every year.
Mr.Ishigure,Consul General of Japan,applauded and encouraged SJAHI students in his address at the ceremony and highlighted that this Contest is indeed a brilliant manifestation of the fruitful cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia. It was really exciting to see how happy and confident the students were at the prize awarding ceremony.
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| SJAHI students in contest |
H.E.Mr.Isigure,making speech |
Commemorative photo |
Graduation Ceremony for the 7th Batch Sudents of Saudi Japanese Automobile High Institute
On 22 June，2010，a graduation ceremony for 235 students of 7th batch was held at the Saudi Japanese Automobile Institute（SJAHI）in Jeddah．H．E．Mr．Shigeru Endo，Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia，H．E．Mr．Toshimitsu Ishigure，Consul General of Japan in Jeddah， Mr．Ahmed Al Zamil，Director General of Human Resources Development Fund and
many other guests attended the ceremony and congratulated the graduates．From SJAHI，Mr．Salem Al Asmari，Executive Director and other instructors and staff took part in the ceremony．
H．E．Mr．Ishigure handed over a present to the top graduate at the ceremony．The valedictorian made a speech in which he called on the graduates of secondary schools all over the country to come to SJAHI for acquiring high skills．He also expressed his gratitude to all the people concerned for making the future of SJAHI graduates brighter.
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| H.E.Mr.Ishigure handing over a present to the top graduate |
H.E.Mr.Endo,Mr.Al-Zamil,Mr.Al-Asmari and H.E.Mr.Ishigure sitting in the hououred guests' seats |
Guests and SJAHI Executive Director with the graduates |
Lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors（Samurai）and performance of the Tae Ceremony
On 25 September，a lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors，Samurai，and performance of the Tea Ceremony were held at the residence of the Consul General of Japan in Jeddah.
After the introductory brief speech given by H．E．Mr．Toshimitsu Ishigure，Consul General of Japan in Jeddah，Mr．Akira Matsura，Grand Master of Chinshin-ryu Tea School and 41st head of the Matsura Family，which ruled Hirado fiefdom as a feudal lord during the Edo Period，delivered a lecture on the history of Tea of Warriors．He explained the history of Tea Ceremony which originated in China and was introduced to Japan，Zen Buddhism as a foundation of Tea Ceremony，the custom of performing Zen and Tea Ceremony among warriors，the difference between warriors and commoners，the importance of Tokonoma（alcove）in the tea room，the way of serving the guests as a once-in-a-lifetime chance，the origin of Chinshin-ryu School and its activities，etc．Following the lecture，Mr．Osamu Matsura，son of the Grand Master，performed the Tea Ceremony and 3 guests，who sat on the tatami mattress，were treated with Japanese style cakes as well as tea prepared by Mr．Osamu Matsura．All the guests were eagerly listening to the lecture and were gazing attentively at every move of the perfomance．
At the reception，which was held in the garden of the residence after active questions and answers，many guests surrounded the Grand Master and his son and had pleasant talks with them with respectful looks．Many guests greatly admired the luminous explanation of the Grand Master and the excellent performance of his son．
According to historical records，the ancestor of the Matsura Family is Prime Minister Minamoto no Tooru who was the 18th son of the 52nd Emperor Saga whose reigned over the country from 809 to 823 A．D．
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| Speech be H.E.Mr.Ishigure,Consul General |
Lecture by Mr.Akira Matsura,Grand Master |
Performance by Mr.Osamu Matsura |
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| Questions and Answers |
H.E.& Mrs.Ishigure and Mr. & Mrs.Matsura |
Reception |
Reception held in celebration of the birthday of H．M．the Emperor of Japan
On the night of 7 December，2010，a reception was held in celebration of the birthday of H．M．the Emperor of Japan at the residence of the Consul General of Japan in Jeddah．230 guests including dignitaries such as the representatives of Makkah Region Branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs，the Shoura Council Member，Director of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry，IDB Vice President，etc．gathered and celebrated the 77th birthday of H．M．the Emperor．
In his speech，H．E．Mr．Ishigure，Consul General of Japan，besides touching upon the close trade and investment relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia，highlighted the concluding of the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and the completion of Petro-Rabigh Refining & Petro-chemicals Project and referred to the achievements of Saudi-Japanese Industrial Task Force in the promotion of investment，Japan's cooperation in the field of human resources development and the number of Saudi students in Japan．H．E．Mr．Ishigure also announced the success of the Asian Film Festival which was held 3 times so far and the Asian Food Festival which was held for the first time this year．Finally，H．E．Mr．Ishigure concluded his speech by expressing his conviction of further development of the relations between the two countries in the years ahead and his gratitude for the support extended to him and his wife during the tenure of his assignment in Jeddah．
