Japanese Ambassador to Vienna hosted the "Friends of Osaka 2025" event to promote Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai and Sake
The event, which took place at the Ambassador’s residence, was attended by Austrian dignitaries and representatives of Japanese and Austrian companies
May 31st, 2024
On 14 May, 2024, the Japanese Embassy and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber jointly hosted the “Friends of Osaka 2025” promotional event at the residence of Ambassador Mizuuchi Ryuta, focusing on Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai and sake, the traditional Japanese rice wine. Expo 2025 will be held in Yumeshima, Osaka, from 13 April to 13 October, 2025.
At the beginning of the event, a roundtable discussion was held on the topic of Japanese-Austrian economic relations with a view to the Expo. Japanese and Austrian business stakeholders engaged in a lively exchange with each other.
The discussion was followed by a small concert in the residence by the two Japanese musicians Hibiki Sagae (piano) and Rino Yoshimoto (violin), who performed for the first time the version of ‘Kojo no Tsuki’ (“The moon over the ruined castle”) composed by Rentaro Taki, arranged by Kosaku Yamada and interpreted by pianist Leo Sirota. The afore-mentioned song had also been played at the reception on the occasion of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan's birthday.
After the musical interlude, the ‘Road to Expo’, including the Austrian Pavilion, was presented by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The highlight of the evening was the sake tasting, which was accompanied by okonomiyaki, a savoury pancake, and other regional delicacies from the city of Osaka. A total of ten types of sake, including those provided by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, were offered for tasting.
Dr. Martin Kocher, Federal Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs; Dr. Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce; and numerous representatives of Japanese and Austrian companies concluded the spring evening in the garden of the residence.
