Thank you for your kind invitation to the third Annual General Meeting of the Japan Community of Queensland. Since the AGM of last September had to be conducted online, I am delighted that we are able to hold this year’s one face-to-face together.

JCQ has been making great efforts to support those Japanese adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as reported at the last AGM, and despite restrictions on face-to-face exchanges continues to further Japan-Queensland relations through various activities. For this, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation and full respect as Consul-General and on behalf of all those supported by the JCQ.

My office has endeavoured to provide the Japanese community with the COVID-19 updates from the State Government in Japanese language as quickly as possible. The JCQ’s services in introducing additional information such as that from the Commonwealth government has been complementary to that and I should admit that in many occasions they are more easily understood and more comprehensive than ours.

In collaboration with other Japanese organisations throughout Queensland, the JCQ has also conveyed to the Commonwealth and the State Government, and our Embassy in Canberra and my office opinions and requests on behalf of the Japanese community in Queensland whose voices are not necessarily catered for through ballot boxes.

Although COVID vaccines continues to be prevalent among the nation, there still remains a significant number of businesses and individuals such as students, working holiday makers and the elderly who require assistances. It is my sincere hope that the JCQ in its fourth year continues to build upon its experiences thus far to expand its social engagement activities that connect Japan and the Japanese community with Queensland and Australian communities.

Thank you.