Consul-Genelral and Mrs. Shimmura host Emperor Birthday Reception
2022/3/13
On March 10, Consul-General and Mrs. Shimmura hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the 62nd Birthday of the Emperor of Japan. Though held in constrained number due to the pandemic, Mr. and Mrs. Shimmura received more than a hundred guests from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government officials as well as representatives of relevant institutions and Japanese community.
Among the guests were Mr. Husein Ali Reza who participated in rowing race and carried the Saudi national flag leading the Saudi delegations to Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the opening ceremony, Ms. Nada Al-Masha, the first Saudi female Karate referee, and representatives from Dar Al-Hekma University which is going to host the Japanese Language Proficiency Test from coming July. Mr. Shimmura commended their vital role and contributions to enriching the bilateral relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The reception offered a good opportunity for promoting Japanese cuisine, and the guests enjoyed the taste of Japanese food, including Tempura cooked lively by Consul-General’s residence chef, and Sushi and other dishes prepared by two Japanese restaurants in Jeddah. Also, a Japanese female resident demonstrated Matcha tea serving.
The text of Consul-General Shimmura’s speech is as follows:
Among the guests were Mr. Husein Ali Reza who participated in rowing race and carried the Saudi national flag leading the Saudi delegations to Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the opening ceremony, Ms. Nada Al-Masha, the first Saudi female Karate referee, and representatives from Dar Al-Hekma University which is going to host the Japanese Language Proficiency Test from coming July. Mr. Shimmura commended their vital role and contributions to enriching the bilateral relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
The reception offered a good opportunity for promoting Japanese cuisine, and the guests enjoyed the taste of Japanese food, including Tempura cooked lively by Consul-General’s residence chef, and Sushi and other dishes prepared by two Japanese restaurants in Jeddah. Also, a Japanese female resident demonstrated Matcha tea serving.
The text of Consul-General Shimmura’s speech is as follows:
Speech by Consul-General Shimmura
Your Excellency Mr. Mazen bin Hamad Al-Himli, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Makkah Region Branch
Honorable Colleagues the Consuls-General
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
Assalam alaikum wa rahmatu-llahi wa barakatuh.
(In English)
First of all, I am honored to announce that His Majesty the Emperor cerebrated the 62nd birthday on February 23, and on that occasion Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, have kindly sent warm messages of congratulations to His Majesty. Although we were obliged to postpone this reception because of the pandemic, it’s my pleasure to be able to celebrate this occasion with you tonight.
(In Arabic)
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year Saudi Arabia decided to celebrate February 22 as “Founding Day”, one day a head of the Emperor’s Birthday, also our national holiday in Japan. These two consecutive celebrations are good opportunities for both of our nations and people in Japan and Saudi Arabia to reaffirm our friendship.
I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With all of their wise vision and thoughtful policies, the Kingdom overcome the pandemic with huge success which resulted in the lifting of most of the precautionary measurements, and which now allows citizens and residents, including the Japanese community, to continue our lives and various activities including this reception.
(In English)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I believe we are at the final stage of the pandemic. In this regard, Tokyo 2020 Olympic last summer reaffirmed people’s resilience and global unity in overcoming COVID-19.
Since our arrival at Jeddah last March, I have been excited to meet with so many Saudi citizens who are fascinated with the Japanese pop-culture, such as Anime and Manga, as well as Japanese traditional arts such as the martial arts and calligraphy.
Last week, I had a chance to meet here at my residence Ms. Nada Al-Mashat, the first Saudi woman to become an international Karate referee. I was very impressed to learn how deeply she loves Karate and was also delighted to know she was one of the active students at the Japanese language course in our Consulate.
“Nothing is impossible” This is the advice Ms. Nada told me she wants to share with her fellow Saudi friends. But it’s also an advice for me. With all the challenges arising from the pandemic, I’m nevertheless determined to do everything possible to encourage those Saudi “Ambassadors” to promote the Japanese culture in Jeddah.
Ms. Nada is here with us tonight. Ms. Nada, where are you? Yes, she is over there. Congratulations, Ms. Nada. (Applause)
Now talking about Japanese language, I am pleased to announce that, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the internationally recognized Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) will start in Jeddah this summer, with the kind cooperation of Dar Al-Hekma University. I hope that more and more people in Saudi Arabia will be encouraged by this news to start learning Japanese.
And the wonderful team in Dar Al-Hekma University dedicated to the launch of JLPT is here with us tonight. I wish to thank your high spirit of cooperation and sincere effort to hold this test. (Applause)
(In Arabic)
Distinguished guests,
Jeddah, the bride of the Red Sea, is currently undergoing multifaceted transformations through the whole-of-government efforts embodied in “Saudi vision 2030”. This transformation can offer us tremendous opportunities to further broaden our cooperation and friendly ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia. It is my mission that I can make full advantage of these opportunities.
I wish to the Kingdom and its friend people all the progress and flourishment under the guidance of its leaders as well as the further development of the relationship between our brotherly nations.
(In Japanese)
I would like to take this opportunity to express my best appreciation to the representatives of Japanese community for their continued understanding and support to our activities.
(In English)
Ladies and gentlemen,
Lastly, one of my important missions here is the promotion of Japanese cuisines. Tonight is the best occasion for that purpose. Please enjoy the food prepared by my residence chef and two Japanese restaurants. Please enjoy the rest of the evening with the taste of Japan.
Thank you.
And it’s my honor to tell you that Captain Hussein Alireza, the rowing player in Tokyo 2020 Olympic, and the bearer of Saudi flag in the opening ceremony, is here with us tonight. Mr. Hussein Alireza, the sportsmanship presented by the Saudi team in Tokyo will remain in our memory forever. Thank you, thank you very much. (Applause)
Honorable Colleagues the Consuls-General
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
Assalam alaikum wa rahmatu-llahi wa barakatuh.
(In English)
First of all, I am honored to announce that His Majesty the Emperor cerebrated the 62nd birthday on February 23, and on that occasion Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, have kindly sent warm messages of congratulations to His Majesty. Although we were obliged to postpone this reception because of the pandemic, it’s my pleasure to be able to celebrate this occasion with you tonight.
(In Arabic)
Ladies and gentlemen,
This year Saudi Arabia decided to celebrate February 22 as “Founding Day”, one day a head of the Emperor’s Birthday, also our national holiday in Japan. These two consecutive celebrations are good opportunities for both of our nations and people in Japan and Saudi Arabia to reaffirm our friendship.
I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With all of their wise vision and thoughtful policies, the Kingdom overcome the pandemic with huge success which resulted in the lifting of most of the precautionary measurements, and which now allows citizens and residents, including the Japanese community, to continue our lives and various activities including this reception.
(In English)
Ladies and gentlemen,
I believe we are at the final stage of the pandemic. In this regard, Tokyo 2020 Olympic last summer reaffirmed people’s resilience and global unity in overcoming COVID-19.
Since our arrival at Jeddah last March, I have been excited to meet with so many Saudi citizens who are fascinated with the Japanese pop-culture, such as Anime and Manga, as well as Japanese traditional arts such as the martial arts and calligraphy.
Last week, I had a chance to meet here at my residence Ms. Nada Al-Mashat, the first Saudi woman to become an international Karate referee. I was very impressed to learn how deeply she loves Karate and was also delighted to know she was one of the active students at the Japanese language course in our Consulate.
“Nothing is impossible” This is the advice Ms. Nada told me she wants to share with her fellow Saudi friends. But it’s also an advice for me. With all the challenges arising from the pandemic, I’m nevertheless determined to do everything possible to encourage those Saudi “Ambassadors” to promote the Japanese culture in Jeddah.
Ms. Nada is here with us tonight. Ms. Nada, where are you? Yes, she is over there. Congratulations, Ms. Nada. (Applause)
Now talking about Japanese language, I am pleased to announce that, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the internationally recognized Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) will start in Jeddah this summer, with the kind cooperation of Dar Al-Hekma University. I hope that more and more people in Saudi Arabia will be encouraged by this news to start learning Japanese.
And the wonderful team in Dar Al-Hekma University dedicated to the launch of JLPT is here with us tonight. I wish to thank your high spirit of cooperation and sincere effort to hold this test. (Applause)
(In Arabic)
Distinguished guests,
Jeddah, the bride of the Red Sea, is currently undergoing multifaceted transformations through the whole-of-government efforts embodied in “Saudi vision 2030”. This transformation can offer us tremendous opportunities to further broaden our cooperation and friendly ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia. It is my mission that I can make full advantage of these opportunities.
I wish to the Kingdom and its friend people all the progress and flourishment under the guidance of its leaders as well as the further development of the relationship between our brotherly nations.
(In Japanese)
I would like to take this opportunity to express my best appreciation to the representatives of Japanese community for their continued understanding and support to our activities.
(In English)
Ladies and gentlemen,
Lastly, one of my important missions here is the promotion of Japanese cuisines. Tonight is the best occasion for that purpose. Please enjoy the food prepared by my residence chef and two Japanese restaurants. Please enjoy the rest of the evening with the taste of Japan.
Thank you.
And it’s my honor to tell you that Captain Hussein Alireza, the rowing player in Tokyo 2020 Olympic, and the bearer of Saudi flag in the opening ceremony, is here with us tonight. Mr. Hussein Alireza, the sportsmanship presented by the Saudi team in Tokyo will remain in our memory forever. Thank you, thank you very much. (Applause)