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JAPAN-UK 150: Celebration and building on its success

25 November 2009
The British Museum, Great Court





HRH The Duke of Gloucester (L) with Ambassador Ebihara


On 25 November a reception to mark the success of JAPAN-UK 150 was held in the exquisite surroundings of the Great Court of the British Museum. Over 350 people who contributed to JAPAN-UK 150 gathered in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa. Ambassador and Mrs Shin Ebihara hosted the event while Minister Ivan Lewis, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs represented the British Government. Also present were many Japan-UK 150 Events Organisers and numerous other prominent figures in Anglo-Japanese relations. The reception was significant not only in celebrating the success of JAPAN-UK 150 but also in promoting networking among the participants from various parts of the country.
 

Since the start of JAPAN-UK 150, in April 2008, around 450 events have taken place throughout the entire country under the JAPAN-UK 150 banner, from Cornwall to as far afield as the Isle of Mull. The diversity of the events that have been staged under the JAPAN-UK 150 umbrella has been equally great. With events ranging from large scale exhibitions in major art institutions to small scale ¡ÆJapan Days¡Ç at local schools, and covering genres such as art and design, theatre, music, film, academia and science, business and sport. Photographs from many of these events were shown in a slideshow throughout the reception for guests to see for themselves the diversity amongst them. Guests were also treated to performances of Koto (harp) and Taiko drumming.


Taiko Drumming

As Ambassador Ebihara mentioned in his remarks, ¡ÆJapan-UK 150 has resulted in a rediscovery of surprising old links in various parts of the country as well as the forging of new partnerships. Together with you, we hope to build upon this legacy to promote our bilateral ties in the years to come.¡Ç
JICC