The Emperor’s Birthday is, of course, always a very important occasion, but on this occasion it was undoubtedly the Ambassador – incidentally, the first woman to serve as Japan’s Ambassador to Germany – who has captured people’s hearts since her arrival in Berlin. She wins people over with her authenticity and charm, and thanks to her excellent command of German, she never shies away from a conversation. In her welcoming speech, she emphasised the long-standing relations between Japan and Germany in the economic, scientific and cultural spheres. There is considerable common ground between Japan and Germany, particularly in the areas of climate protection and security policy.
Various companies showcased themselves and presented their products to the guests. These included firms from the manufacturing, telecommunications and food sectors. Naturally, there were plenty of culinary highlights too, with the sushi-making station in particular struggling to keep up with demand.