Japan Consulate Visit

Date:     21 st February 2006

On 21 st February 2006, Hong Kong Model United Nations Club organized a visit to Japan Consulate and 20 members participated. Generally this visit consisted of two parts, a diplomacy presentation given by Mr. KITAMURA Takanori, Consul-General of Japan , and a Japanese tea ceremony.

In the first part, all participants were given a talk on Japan 's Diplomacy by Mr. KITAMURA Takanori, the Consul General of Japan. This talk provided us lots of information on international relations, especially from the view of Japanese government. Mr. Kitamura also analyzed the China-Japan Relationship and the role of Japan in the United Nations. We found these parts useful and interesting. Many participants have actively involved in the Q&A session, and the talk ended up in a warm atmosphere. The talk can certainly widen participants' horizons in international relations and affairs.

After the official seminar given by the Consul-General of Japan , we were invited to learn the Japanese culture. We moved to a room next door which is specially designed for traditional Japanese tea ceremony. With paper doors and windows, figurines in kimono and other decorations, the room gave us an illusion that we were thousand miles away from Hong Kong . Ten of us were invited to come up on stage and sit on tatami cushions. Guided by experienced teacher and instructor, students from the Japanese Primary School , all dressed in kimono, demonstrated the ceremony and helped serve us tea. We learned the proper posture and etiquette of Japanese tea culture, thanks to the instructions given by our little teachers. Through the demonstration given by the staff and Japanese students, we learned the correct procedures and manner to drink. This really allows us to know more about the Japanese culture. What made us felt incredible and appreciated is the courtesy and sincerity of Japanese. It's luck for us to have the opportunity to have this invaluable visit to Japanese Consulate.