Japanese Ambassador Nomura Mamoru and his wife;
Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 26 February 2026, the Ambassador of Japan to Luxembourg, Mamoru Nomura, hosted a reception at his residence to celebrate the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito which officially took place on 23 February.
Around 200 invited guests were present and, while the ambassador and his wife were welcoming everyone as they arrived, enjoyed exploring the various Japanese stands in the marquee erected in the grounds of the residence for the occasion. These included the House of Japan, All Nippon Airways and others. Inside the residence were displays of Japanese dolls and bonsai (miniature trees).
To start off the formal part of the event, Yuriko Kimura first performed the Japanese and Luxembourgish national anthems on the flute.
In his speech, delivered in English, Ambassador Nomura talked about the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. He recalled last year when Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duke Guillaume, Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel visiting Japan on the occasion of the World Expo in Osaka. Looking ahead to 2027, he said that year will see the celebration of the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He talked about profound geopolitical changes over recent years and highlighted standing with Ukraine on the 4th anniversary of the Russian invasion, mentioning Japan’s support and commitment to peace. He also mentioned Japan supporting Gaza and the two-state solution.
He turned his attention to Japanese companies active in Luxembourg, including in space and the data economy, as well as engagement with Japanese startups, and Japanese investment driving growth, also market access.
He then talked about showcasing Japan's cultural heritage in Luxembourg, from kimonos to cuisine. He explained that such events provide a strong foundation for diplomatic relations.
After the formalities were over, the guests enjoyed a networking dinner including traditional Japanese dishes and sake tasting.
ED
