It was a historic occasion with four former AJS-QLD Presidents joining the current President to welcome the Mayor of Kobe Mr Kizo HISAMOTO and 25 delegates from Kobe City, at the Society’s reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Brisbane Kobe Sister City relationship.
The Society was also delighted to welcome Consul-General of Japan Mr Katsutoshi ISHIKAWA and Deputy Consul-General of Japan Ms Ikuko HANAI to this special event , together with AJS QLD Corporate Members and their guests.
All the speakers reflected on the enduring relationship between Brisbane and Kobe that has encompassed education, business, culture and sport over the past 40 years.
The AJS-QLD has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Kobe City, the Kobe Japan Australia Society (KJAS) and the Kobe Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KJCCI) so it was wonderful to meet with good friends of the AJS-QLD, Mr Toshi OTA, Chair of the KJAS and Ms Kimiko Ito, Vice Chair of the KJCCI who were travelling as members the delegation.
For more than four decades AJS-QLD Presidents and Committee members have been involved in facilitating projects, programs and exhibitions with Kobe as well as participating in trade missions between our two cities.
The AJS-QLD is currently running a Student Art Exchange project as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations with exhibitions to be held in both Brisbane and Kobe later this year.
The project, is being run in collaboration with Brisbane City Council, Kobe City, Ironside State School in Brisbane and Tanigami Elementary School in Kobe.