Press Releases
Opening Ceremony for Japan House São Paulo
An opening ceremony for Japan House São Paulo was held on April 30. Representatives of the Japanese and Brazilian governments were in attendance. Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura represented the Government of Japan, while H.E. Mr. Michel Miguel Elias Temer Lulia, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Aloysio Nunes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Roberto João Pereira Freire, Minister of Culture, Mr. Geraldo Alckmin, Govornor of São Paulo, and Mr. João Doria, Mayor of São Paulo were also in attendance. The following is the overview of the opening ceremony.
1. Opening Ceremony
(1) Opening Remarks
Deputy Prime Minister Aso and State Minister Sonoura welcomed President Temer, Governor Alckmin, Mayor Doria and others. After each country’s national anthem, Governor Alckmin and Mayor Doria congratulated the inaugulation of Japan House, and then Deputy Prime Minister Aso and President Temer, on behalf of their respective governments, gave speeches on their expectations for the future of Japan House.
(2) Ribbon Ceremony and Japan House Tour
Deputy Prime Minister Aso and State Minister Sonoura participated in the ribbon ceremony with President Temer and others, and celebrated the inauguration of Japan House São Paulo with 300 guests, both from Japan and Brazil. Ms. Angela Tamiko Hirata, President of Japan House São Paulo, Mr. Kenya Hara, Chief Creative Director of Japan House, Mr. Kengo Kuma, the architect and design director of Japan House São Paulo, and Mr. Marcello Dantas, Director of Programming of Japan House São Paulo provided guided tour and explained its concept, interior design and the inaugural special exhibition on bamboo.
(3) Reception
A reception for the opening ceremony’s guests was held at the restaurant in Japan House. Mr. Junji Sakamoto, a renowned chef in São Paulo, who will head the restaurant in Japan House São Paulo, presented his cuisine for this occasion.
2. Luncheon
Deputy Prime Minister Aso and State Minister Sonoura hosted a luncheon with Mr. Rubens Ricupero, Japan House São Paulo Honorary President, Mr. Luiz Fernando Furlan, Japan House São Paulo expert advisor and former Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Mr. Caio Carvalho, member of Japan House São Paulo Steering Committee and Executive Director of Band Arte 1, Mr. Roberto Rodrigues, Professor of Fundação Getulio Vargas, and others. They exchanged ideas on the ways to practically utilize Japan House and also the further possibilities of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Brazil on agriculture, business, energy field, technology innovation and more.
3. Meetings with the Japan House São Paulo Steering Committee and Secretariat
Deputy Prime Minister Aso and State Minister Sonoura held a meeting with the Japan House São Paulo Steering Committee including Honorary President, where they expressed their gratitude for the members’ cooperation on this project and exchanged ideas on what part of Japan attracts Brazilian audiences. Also State Minister Sonoura held a meeting with the Japan House São Paulo Secretariat where they talked about the vision of the team. State Minister Sonoura visited their office and thanked all the members for their hard work towards the opening.
4. Dialogue with representatives of Brazil's Community of Japanese Immigrants and Descendants (“Nikkei”)
Deputy Prime Minister Aso and State Minister Sonoura exchanged views with representatives of the Community of Japanese Immigrants and Descendants (“Nikkei) in Brazil. Representatives from each group introduced their activities and they exchanged ideas on strengthening partnerships with the Nikkei Communities in Central and South America.