2026年1月21日（水） 開催終了
JANZ新年会は、毎年交互に駐日豪州大使館又は駐日NZ大使館の施設で開催していますが、今回は、２０２６年１月２１日（水）午後５時より７時まで、駐日豪州大使館イベント・ホールにて開催しました。本年は日豪友好協力基本条約署名５０周年にあたることから、大使館の特別のご厚意により、参加費を頂かない形で実施することとなりました。また、大使館側の強い意向により出席者総数を７０名に抑えることになりましたが、北海道、岐阜、静岡、兵庫等地方からの参加もあり盛会となりました。
受付は４時３０分から始まり５時より鈴木理事の司会により、上田JANZ会長兼全国日豪協会連合会会長、スティリアノウ駐日豪州臨時代理大使、ダンカン駐日NZ臨時代理大使そして奥洞全国日NZ協会連合会会長の挨拶のあと、北川外務省大洋州課長の乾杯の挨拶がありました。挨拶はいずれも条約署名５０周年を記念し日豪NZの草の根交流の重要性に触れるものでした。
次いで『FOR DANCER‘S LIFE』による、ダンス・パフォーマンスが行われました。バレエ・ダンサー４人が和装姿で、会場内全体を舞台に源氏物語の光源氏の最後をバレエで舞うという和洋融合の興味深い作品でした、
この後、フィンガー・フード、オーストラリアワイン・ビールを楽しみつつ、歓談に移り、６時５０分には荒井副会長が会の締めの挨拶をし、和気あいあいとした新年会は成功裏に終了しました。
この新年会では開始時間をこれまでより１時間早めたこと、人数を大幅に削減したこと等、これまでと異なる開催方法となったため、JANZとして対応に工夫が必要となりましたが、１年の始まりにふさわしい楽しい会となりました。
（会員へのお詫び）
一部の会員には新年会の通知が行われておらず、この報告に戸惑いを示す方がおられるものと思います。これは厳しい人数規制と時間的制約の中、正会員及び出席可能性のある他の会員に的を絞って個別にメールと電話で確認したためで、この結果、通知のない会員が生じてしまいました。通知のなかった会員の方にはお詫び申し上げます。
It is customary for JANZ to welcome and celebrate each new year with a New Year’s Party conducted alternately between the Australian and New Zealand Embassies here in Japan. This year, the event was held on Wednesday, January 21 from 5pm to 7pm at the Australian Embassy’s function room “Waratah Hall”. It was a milestone event as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan.
With registration commencing at 4:30pm, the venue was full house by 5:00pm and our MC, Masami Suzuki (JANZ Director) officially opened the event by welcoming the distinguished guests and the attending members.
After Mr. Hideaki Ueda, JANZ President as well as the President of the National Federation of Japan Australia Societies gave his opening remarks, heartwarming speeches were given by Ms. Helen Stylianou, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Australia, Ms. Lucy Duncan, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of New Zealand, and Ms. Keiko Okubora, President of the National Federation of Japan New Zealand Societies. Mr. Shintaro Kitagawa, Director of Oceania Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan then proposed the toast. Each speaker commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Basic Treaty and spoke of the importance of the grassroots exchange between the three countries.
Next on the programme was a fascinating dance performance by four dancers from the FDL (For Dancer’s Life) dancing group. The dancers dressed in kimono-style outfits performed the famous Japanese classical literature, “The Tale of Genji”, showcasing the final days of Hikaru Genji. The dancers performed not on a raised stage but rather used the entire Waratah Hall as their dancing space, which made the performance even more fascinating. A Japanese novel written in the 11th century and contemporary ballet. The performance was indeed a blend of Japanese and Western elements.
Subsequently, everyone enjoyed the rest of the party with delicious finger-food, Australian wine and beer, and each other’s company. At 6:50pm JANZ Vice President, Ms. Mina Arai delivered her closing remarks which concluded the event.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Australian Embassy for their generous support which had allowed us to have the party without collecting participation fees from our attendees. Moreover, we would like to mention that the event was limited to 70 participants, as a request from the Embassy.
Last but not least, our sincerest appreciation to our attendees, some traveling all the way from Hokkaido, Gifu, Shizuoka, Hyōgo and the like. Furthermore, our utmost gratitude to all those involved in the event; leading up to as well as on the day. It would not have been such a successful event without your participation, support, cooperation and understanding.
(Apologies to our members)
Due to the limited time and various other restrictions, we regret that we were unable to extend invitations to all our members. To those members that did not receive notice of this year’s New Year’s Party, please accept our deepest apologies for any inadequacy and inconvenience caused.
