Manar Elbaz

DUBAI: The Japanese consulate in Dubai hosted a special reception on Monday at the Raffles Hotel to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s 66th birthday. 

Dubai’s Consul-General IMANISHI‏ Jun kicked off the reception with a speech, highlighting the bilateral exchanges between Japan and the UAE throughout 2025. 

“At Expo 2025 in Osaka, the UAE presented a remarkable national pavilion inspired by a palm grove. The pavilion won the Silver Award and attracted almost five million visitors,” he said. 

He added that multiple Japanese governors, such as the Governor of Aichi OMURA Hideaki and the Governor of Tokyo KOIKE Yuriko, visited Dubai in 2025, promoting collaboration between the two countries in different fields like infrastructure, transport, urban resilience, and digital transformation. 

The Consul-General also highlighted the youth exchanges between Japan and the UAE. “The partnership between Yuuwa Junior High School in Wakayama and GEMS Al Barsha National School continued to grow, fostering mutual learning and friendship.”

“Young para-athletes took part in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games. These exchanges also strengthened the ties between the two countries and serve as a bridge between them,” he added. 

Imanishi thanked the Dubai ruler and the Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his extraordinary leadership, which has helped the Japanese community in Dubai flourish.

Moreover, the Consul-General shared that he predicts investment in Japanese culture will continue to grow across the UAE, citing the growing number of Japanese restaurants as proof. 

“There are now more than 300 Japanese restaurants in the UAE. We are delighted to see new restaurants and retailers choosing Dubai as hubs to share the virtues of Japanese cuisine,” Imanishi said. 

Looking ahead, Imanishi highlighted various upcoming events aimed at strengthening the Japan-UAE bilateral relations, such as UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s upcoming state visit to Japan in Feb., as well as the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games that are taking place in September in Aichi–Nagoya under the leadership of Majid Al Usaimi, President of the Paralympic Committee. 

“The President of the UAE is scheduled to pay a state visit to Japan in February of this year. It is to be hoped that this visit will lead to the further development of bilateral relations. I’m committed to continuing to do my utmost,” Imanishi said. 

Addressing the guests in Arabic in the second half of his speech, Imanishi reflected on his time as consul-general in Dubai. 

“It has been two and a half years since I was posted to Dubai. Diplomacy is about building links and bonds between people. I have met many people here and discussed Japan’s relations and cooperation with them,” he said. 

“This relationship (between Japan and the UAE) is built on mutual trust, deep respect, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he concluded. 

The consul-general awarded the 2025 Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Chef Naoto Sameshima. The title is only given to 11 chefs around the world, recognizing the chef’s outstanding contributions at the Consulate. 

Additionally, UAE-based Japanese drumming group Shoten Taiko also received the 2025 Foreign Minister’s Commendation during the reception. The group performed a special performance during the ceremony, showcasing the beauty of Japanese music to the guests. 

Various consul-generals and officials, including Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and Abdulaziz Al Neyadi, the Director of East Asia and Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, attended the reception.

Guests enjoyed a special Wagyu prepared by Chef Sameshima and a variety of authentic sushi flavors prepared for the reception. 

Many Japanese companies showcased their products during the reception, such as JNTO and Yakult.

“It was a truly splendid occasion to celebrate the 66th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan,” Imanishi told Arab News Japan after the reception. The strong and productive relationship between Japan, Dubai, and the Northern Emirates has been sustained by the support of many people across government, the private sector, and cultural circles.”