To commemorate His Majesty Naruhito’s birthday, the Japanese Embassy organized a National Day reception at the Budapest Marriott Hotel on the evening of February 16th. This event held special significance as His Excellency Masato Otaka, the esteemed Ambassador to Hungary, bid his farewells.
The Japan National Day festivities in Hungary stand out as a prominent diplomatic gathering known for its grandeur and diverse program offerings.
During his speech, Ambassador Masato Otaka warmly welcomed His Majesty and shed light on the significant events that shaped Japan in the past year. He also addressed global issues, highlighting Japan’s endeavors to bring stability to regions like Ukraine, Gaza, and the Korean peninsula.
The celebration of Japan’s national holiday in Budapest marked Ambassador Otaka’s departure. Photo: Daily News Hungary
In his address, Masato emphasized the strong ties between Hungary and Japan, expressing satisfaction with the presence of 180 active companies in the region. He acknowledged the substantial investments made by Japanese corporations in Hungary and outlined their future investment strategies. Wrapping up his speech, the Japanese Ambassador in Budapest expressed his gratitude in Hungarian to all those who supported him during his three-year tenure in Hungary.
He expressed gratitude for the valuable relationships he had cultivated and the chance to enhance Japanese-Hungarian relations.
The attendees showed their appreciation for Ambassador Masato, who will be taking on the role of Head of Mission in Bangkok, Thailand, with a prolonged round of applause.
The celebration of Japan’s national holiday in Budapest marked Ambassador Otaka’s farewell. Photo: Daily News Hungary
It was announced that the next Ambassador of Japan to Hungary will be His Excellency Hikariko ONO.
Representatives from the Hungarian government, including János Bóka, Minister for European Union Affairs, and Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, graced the occasion. In his speech, Mr. Bóka emphasized the strong economic, cultural, and sports connections between Japan and Hungary.
The minister highlighted Japan’s position as a top 10 investor in recent years, with 27,000 employees in Japanese enterprises, affirming Budapest’s recognition of Tokyo as a strategic partner.
The celebration of Japan’s national holiday in Budapest marked Ambassador Otaka’s farewell. Photo: Daily News Hungary
The celebration of Japan’s national holiday in Budapest marked Ambassador Otaka’s farewell. Photo: Daily News Hungary
Throughout the rest of the reception, 18 Japanese musicians, predominantly members of symphonic orchestras in Hungary, presented a concert under the direction of Haraguchi Shoji.
Several Japanese companies took the opportunity to introduce themselves to the guests, while the Kicsi Japan restaurant added to the evening with delectable sushi offerings.