Mr. MAGOSHI Masayuki, Ambassador of Japan to held a reception on the occasion of Emperor Naruhito 63rd birthday at Phoenicia Hotel, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament of the Lebanese Republic represented by H.E. Deputy Salim Sayegh, His Excellency Mr. Najib Mikati. President of the Council of Ministers represented by His Excellency Mr. Nasser Yassin, Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Abdallah Abou Habib, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants represented by H.E. Ms. Abir Ali and diplomatic, consular, economic, academic, cultural and social figures.

After the Lebanese and Japanese anthems, Ambassador Magoshi delivered a welcoming speech and said: “It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you here today to celebrate Japan’s National Day and the 63rd anniversary of the Emperor of Japan.

The last three years were particularly difficult for most countries. Japan, while assuming the presidency of the G7 and holding a non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council, will further promote efforts to uphold the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

I’d like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and my sympathy to the injured people in Turkey and Syria. We are determined to provide all possible assistance to the people affected by the earthquake.

Japan will maintain its support to Lebanon at all levels, hoping that this will help in alleviating the Lebanese people’s hardships until the country’s full recovery from its multifaceted crisis, and I will strive to strengthen relations between our two countries in all fields.”

And to hold a toast a sake cask was broken to wish new beginnings and hopes for the future to come.

Source: National News Agency