Birthday celebrations of Emperor of Japan begin in India: Japanese envoy hosts grand reception
NEW DELHI: Ambassador of Japan to India Hiroshi Suzuki hosted a gala reception on Wednesday evening at their official residence in the Embassy of Japan to celebrate the 63rd Birthday of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, which also happens to be Japan’s National Day. 23 February is Japan’s National Day to celebrate the 63rd Birthday of the Japan Emperor Naruhito. Naruhito is the 126th emperor of Japan, according to the country’s traditional order of succession.
The invitees on the occasion of the reception on Wednesday included top diplomats from various countries including ambassadors of South Korea, Thailand, and others, and prominent people from industry, trade, commerce, government, defence forces, hospitality, travel, education, and media.
The Indian minister of state for external affairs and education Ranjan Singh Rajkumar, and his wife Chungkham Debala Dev were the guest of honour on this occasion. “I offer heartfelt compliments and congratulations to the Government and people of Japan on Japan’s National Day Reception. Also looking forward to strengthen India-Japan partnership which has expanded across all domains,” said the minister.
The visitors to the embassy were served an elaborate range of Indian and Japanese cuisines as well as beverages that included a wide variety of Japanese rice wine Sake. A number of Japanese sake breweries displayed their beverages and offered tasting sessions for the visitors.
Many companies such as Toyota, Honda, Canon, Konica Minolta, Indo-Nissin Food, Miyavi Sake, Japan Airlines, Project Sake India, JNTO, Veena Enterprises, and others participated in the event and showcased their products and services.
The reception began with the singing of the national anthems of both nations followed by speeches by ambassador Suzuki, and the minister Ranjan Singh Rajkumar.
While welcoming the guests, Ambassador Suzuki said that India and Japan were coincidentally leading G20 and G7 in the year 2023 that was a very crucial year not only for the two countries but also for the world. Entire world was looking forward to India and Japan with great hope and positivity, he said.
On the other hand the Indo Japan joint training exercise “Dharma guardian” is beginning at camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from Friday.
The 4th edition of joint military exercise, “EX DHARMA GUARDIAN”, between India and Japan is being conducted at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan from 17 February to 02 March 2023.
Notably, in the series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various, an Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN which is an annual training event with Japan, is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both nations in the backdrop of current global situation. The scope of this exercise covers platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi urban/urban terrain.
Troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an Infantry Regiment from the Middle Army of the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year to share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning & execution. The Indian Army contingent arrived at the exercise location on 12 February 2023 where they were accorded a warm reception.
The joint exercise will enable the two armies to share best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting tactical operations under a UN Mandate, in addition to developing inter-operability, bonhomie, camaraderie and friendship between the two armies. The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness and sharing of drills at the tactical level. During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of missions ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, basics of establishing integrated surveillance grids, including employment of aerial assets. The joint exercise will facilitate both armies to know each other better, share their wide experiences and enhance their situational awareness.
“Exercise Dharma Guardian” will further enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces, furthering the bilateral relations between the two nations.
