The 125th Anniversary of Japan’s Townsville Mission

1  Keynote Speech by Ambassador YAMAGAMI

          Ambassador YAMAGAMI gave a keynote speech to open the event.  (Speech script / Video)  

2  Panel Discussion

          The Mayor of the City of Townsville, experts and businesspersons participated in an online panel to discuss the relationship between Japan and Townsville, and Japan and Queensland.

          MC：Mr. Craig Warhurst – Editor of the Townsville Bulletin

(1)  Economic Relationship between Japan and Townsville

          You can view the video here.
          Panellists：
              Cr. Jenny Hill - Mayor of the City of Townsville
              Mr. Drew Penny – Chief Operating Officer, Port of Townsville
              Mr. Hirofumi Kawazoe - General Manager, Hydrogen Engineering Australia 

(2)  People-to-People Exchange between Japan and Queensland 

          You can view the video here.
          Panellists：
             Professor Martin Nakata - Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous Education and Strategy, James Cook University
             Ms. Julie Yamamoto - Committee member of Australia Japan Society QLD, Committee member of Queensland-
                                                  Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
             Cr. Ann-Maree Greaney – Councillor of Townsville

1  Opening Remarks (Ms. MASUDA Chieko, Acting Consul-General, Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane)

          In her opening remarks, Ms. MASUDA, Acting Consul-General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Brisbane, stated that Ambassador YAMAGAMI had planned to host the reception, but was unfortunately unable to attend due to travel restrictions. Ms. MASUDA spoke of the history of Japanese travellers to Australia, the background of why Japan established its first mission in Townsville, and the various opportunities for future cooperation between Japan and Queensland.
 

2  Cr. Jenny Hill - Mayor of the City of Townsville

          The Mayor of the City of Townsville, Cr. Jenny Hill stated that the establishment of the mission in Townsville, which was the starting point of the relationship between Japan and Australia, has a significant meaning in our two countries’ history. In her speech, she expressed her hopes to deepen the cooperation between Japan and Townsville in the business field as well. 

3  Messages from Townsville's Sister Cities in Japan

         Shunan City, which established a sister city relationship with Townsville in 1990, shared through a video message its goodwill visit project to Townsville that has a 30-year history.  Shunan City expressed their hopes to re-start the project once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.  In addition, Iwaki City, which became the sister city of Townsville in 1990, presented a letter in which the city expressed its hopes for both cities to accelerate their people-to-people exchange in the future.
 
          Video Message from Shunan City can be viewed here.
          Message from Iwaki City can be viewed here.
 
          Tourism PR Video from Shunan City can be viewed here.
          Tourism PR Video from Iwaki City can be viewed here.

4  Mr. Phillip Thompson OAM, MP - Federal Member for Herbert

          Federal Member for Herbert, Mr. Phillip Thompson OAM, MP who was born in Townsville, also attended and said it is a great pleasure that Townsville is the place where the relationship between Japan and Australia began. Mr. Thompson also stated there are many business opportunities in Townsville, and Australia and Japan are vital strategic partners. He also expressed his hopes for the relationship between Townsville and Japan to deepen even further.

5  Mr. MATSUDA, Director, Consular Office of Japan in Cains

          Mr. MATSUDA, Director of the Consular Office of Japan in Cairns, stated in his speech that what makes this 125^th anniversary even more special is  the important step towards the export of liquid hydrogen from the Port of Townsville to Japan this year. He also stated that it was fortunate to be able to hold the event in Townsville while some states and territories were in lockdown.

6  Cultural Events

          A flower arrangement demonstration and workshop as well as a tea ceremony demonstration were held during the event. Guests also enjoyed Japanese music performances by Japnese drum groups, koto harp and flute duet, and string trio.