The many milestones being marked at Japan Festival Houston 2023 were celebrated in a special ceremony on Day 1 of the event.
Shepherd School of Music Mezzo-Soprano Kanade Motomura opened the commemoration with the singing of the Kimigayo and the Star Spangled Banner.
Consul-General Hirofumi MURABAYASHI greeted festivalgoers. Chiba City representative Tadahiro NISHI, Chief of the Office of the Mayor of Chiba City, remarked on the longstanding friendship between Houston and Chiba. And Japan Business Association of Houston President Akira Hayasaka shared the community’s delight in the return of the event.
In keeping with tradition, the ceremony closed with a presentation of gifts to Hermann Park Conservancy President Doreen Stoller in support of the Japanese Garden.
-Images courtesy of night.sky.creative