From Left: Norifumi Kondo, director of the South America Division of the Latin American and the Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jaime Barberis, ambassador of Ecuador to Japan; Yuji Sudo, ambassador of Japan to Ecuador; and Kotaro Ezawa, CEO of Mamano Chocolate Inc., at an opening ceremony of "The Fine Aroma of Our Identity" exhibition hosted by the Ecuadorian Embassy and Mamano Chocolate, at the Takanawa Civic Center Gallery in Tokyo on Feb.25. Attendees enjoyed Mamano Chocolate's high-percentage cacao chocolate made with high-quality Ecuadorian fine aroma cocoa. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ECUADORIAN EMBASSY

Japan's first lady Akie Abe (front row, second from left) and spouse of the minister for foreign affairs Emi Motegi (front row, second from right) pose for a group photo with President of the Society of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of Missions in Japan (SWAAJ) and spouse of the Algerian ambassador Amira Bencherif (front row, left); SWAAJ Vice President and spouse of the Egyptian ambassador Ghada Kamel (front row, right); and other members at a luncheon hosted by SWAAJ at the Egyptian ambassador's residence on Feb. 13. Other members include representatives from Lebanon, Palestine, Bahrain, Mauritania, Tunisia, Kuwait, Oman and Sudan. | MIKI OSHITA

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (fifth from the left) and winners of the Tokyo Financial Award 2019 at Roppongi Hills for an award ceremony on Feb. 12. From left, for the ESG Investment Category, Yoshiyuki Makino, head of S&P Dow Jones Indices Japan Office; Sayaka Takatsuka and Chunmei Huang, senior directors of the Impact Investment Team, Shinsei Corporate Investment; and Masami Yabumoto, head of Capital Markets Group Investment Banking Business Unit, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. For the Financial Innovation Category, Gentaro Tominaga, president and CEO of Frich Co.; Tal Ekroni, CEO and co-founder of Fly Money Technologies; Fumiyasu Kagami, chief operating officer of 400F Co. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

European Union Ambassador to Japan Patricia Flor (center row, eighth from left) with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (ninth from left) and Chairman of the Japan-EU Parliamentary Friendship LeagueNobuteru Ishihara (seventh from left), as they pose for photos with ambassadors of EU member states in Japan, and members of the Tomoko Ishii Spanish Dance Company to mark the 1st anniversary of the entry into force of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement at the Delegation of the EU to Japan’s Europa House on Feb. 4. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

(From left) Special Ambassador So Takei with Ambassadors Taizo Sugimura and Nagano Olympic speed skating bronze medalist Tomomi Okazaki during a photo session after the press conference at a "World Masters Games 2021 Kansai'' promotional event on Feb. 1. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter donated to Saga and Chiba prefectures, which suffered from natural disasters in 2019. Gov. Yoshinori Yamaguchi of Saga (second from right), and Vice Gov. Shinsuke Takigawa of Chiba (second from left), pose with Ioanna Charikleia Giannakarou (left), the chairperson of the fair and spouse of the Greek ambassador, and Junko Katano, president of the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter (right), during the Ikebana International Fair 2019 at the Palace Hotel Tokyo on Jan. 27. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

At the opening ceremony of "Visit Nepal 2020," Nepalese Ambassador Prativa Rana (back row, seventh from left) poses with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norihiro Nakayama (back row, eighth from left); Visit Nepal 2020 goodwill ambassadors Hiromi Ishioka, chairman of the Nepal-Japan Friendship Society (back row, third from left), and Tokushin Kasai, chairman of Lumbini Hotel Kasai (back row, fourth from left); performers; and other guests at the reception hall of the ambassador's residence in Nakameguro on Jan. 7. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan Frank C.T. Hsieh (left) and Wang Shu-Fang, director of the Taiwan Cultural Center, during an opening reception of the photo exhibition "Mekurumeku Taiwan" at the Taiwan Cultural Center in Toranomon on Dec. 18. This exhibition will run until Feb. 18, 2020. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

This year 39 embassies and 33 headmasters of various ikebana schools participated in the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter's annual Ikebana International Fair, held at the Royal Park Hotel on Dec. 17. Cutting the ribbon are Ikebana International Fair 2019 Chairperson Ioanna Charikleia Giannakarou, wife of the Ambassador of Greece (front row, far right), Honorary President Princess Takamado (front row, center) and Junko Katano, president of the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter (front row, far left). | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Ambassador of the State of Qatar Hassan Bin Mohammed Rafei Al-Emadi (center) poses with Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Minoru Kihara (left) and President of Komeito and Member of the House of Councillors Natsuo Yamaguchi (right) during a reception celebrating the national day of Qatar at the Imperial Hotel on Dec. 12. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Takeya Yamasaki (second from right), executive director of tea ceremony school Chanoyu International, presents The Japan Times President Takeharu Tsutsumi with a ¥419,000 contribution to The Japan Times Readers' Fund at the daily's head office in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo on Dec. 16. The funds will be distributed mainly to overseas charities, particularly those operating in Asia, that help people in need secure better access to education. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Thai Ambassador-Designate of the Kingdom of Thailand Singtong Lapisatepun (right) and Justice Minister Masako Mori (left) raise a toast to celebrate of the country’s National Day and the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo on Dec. 5. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Romanian Ambassador Tatiana Iosiper (center) with Chairman of the Japan-Romania Parliamentary Friendship League Ichiro Aisawa (left) and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Wakamiya (right) during a reception celebrating Romania's National Day at The Okura Tokyo on Nov. 28. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Matelda Starace, posing next to the Italian Embassy's Chef and Food and Drink Manager Manuel Montalbetti (center), and the National Council of YMCAs of Japan held at a pizza-making workshop for children, including those with special needs, at the embassy residence on Nov. 30. Starace has worked at a children's hospital in Guatemala and on Unicef projects, and is the spouse of Ambassador Giorgio Starace. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Latvian Ambassador Dace Treija-Masi (left) joins Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship League Chairman Hirofumi Nakasone (center) and Justice Minister Masako Mori in a toast to cerebrate the 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia at the embassy in Tokyo on Nov. 20. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture Shunji Kono (fourth from right) and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi (fourth from left) with Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Taku Eto (third from right); Regional Revitalization Minister Seigo Kitamura (third from left); Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Republic of San Marino Manlio Cadelo; and members of the House of Representatives, House of Councilors and the prefectural assembly during a sake barrel-breaking ceremony for a reception co-hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture at Iikura Guest House in Tokyo, on Nov. 8. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Celebrating the 90th anniversary of Canada and Japan diplomatic relations, Destination Canada introduced their new For Growing Hearts brand at the Embassy of Canada on Oct. 30. From left: Monkey Majik members Maynard Plant and Blaise Plant; Ian Burney, Ambassador of Canada to Japan; Gloria Loree, Destination Canada, Chief Marketing Officer; Maureen Riley, Destination Canada Vice President International; and Yuji Nakazawa, former Japan National Team soccer player. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CANADIAN EMBASSY

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong XVI, the King of Malaysia (fourth from left) and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry of Malaysia Dato' Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan (third from left) with the Ambassador of Malaysia to Japan Dato' Kennedy Jawan (fifth from right) and his wife Datin Josephine Dagang (fourth from right), other ambassadors, politicians, businesspeople and festival participants during the opening ceremony for Malaysia Fair Tokyo 2019 at Shinjuku Chuo Park in Tokyo on Nov. 2. | PHOTO COURTESY OF MUHAMMAD AMIRUL AMIN ZAKARIA

The Third Class Labor Medal of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was given to Japanese actor and singer Ryotaro Sugi (left) given by Vietnam Ambassador Vu Hong Nam (right) for 30 years of charity concerts and welfare activities contributing to establishing a relationship between Japan and Vietnam, at the embassy on Oct. 30. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Bilal Erdogan, president of World Ethnosport Confederation (center) with, from left, Keisuke Suzuki, state minister for foreign affairs; Hasan Murat Mercan, ambassador of the Republic of Turkey; Natsuo Yamaguchi, chief representative of Komeito; and Kanae Yamamoto, member of the House of Councillors during a reception to celebrate of the 96th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, at the embassy residence on Oct. 29. | MARIKO SHIMADA

A "National Order of Merit" of the Republic of Paraguay was given to Takeo Kawamura (sixth from the left), who has been chairman of the Japan-Paraguay Parliamentary Friendship League for 15 years and made contributions to establishing a relationship between Japan and Paraguay. The medal was handed over from Hugo Velazquez Moreno (fifth from the left), the Vice President of Paraguay on Oct. 24, at the Paraguay Embassy. Paraguay Ambassador of Japan Raul Alberto Florentin-Antola (right) and his wife, Maria Liz (second from the right), former Ambassador of Japan to Paraguay Yoshihisa Ueda (forth from the left), former Ambassador of Paraguay to Japan Naoyuki Toyotoshi (third from the left), Yoshinari Okayama (back row, third from the right) Secretary General of the Japan-Paraguay Association, along with ambassadors from Latin American countries attended the ceremony. | PHOTO COURTESY OF PARAGUAY EMBASSY

Uganda Ambassador Betty Grace Akech-Okullo with Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shinichi Nakatani (left), and Ambassador of Japan to Uganda Kazuaki Kameda (right) during a reception to celebrate the 57th Anniversary of Uganda's Independence at Palace Hotel Tokyo on Oct. 9. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Honorary President Princess Takamado (right) with Venezuelan Ambassador Seiko Ishikawa, the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize winner of the ‘‘Reflections on the Heisei Era -Through Diplomats’ Eyes 2019’’ exhibition. | PHOTO COURTESY OF SHINOBU ABE

Ambassador-designate of the Federal Republic of Germany Ina Lepel (center) with State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Kenji Wakamiya (left) and Keisuke Suzuki (right) during a reception to celebrate the Day of German Unity at the ambassador' s residence on Oct. 3. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Ambassador of Chile Julio Fiol (second from left)with, from left, Asako Omi, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs and member of the House of Representatives; Andy Bruce, president of the Chilean Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CHCCJ); and Teru Fukui, member of the House of Representatives and executive secretary of the Japan-Chile Parliamentary Friendship League, during a reception to celebrate the 209th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Chile and the launching of CHCCJ at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills on Sept. 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On Sept. 17, the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter organized an ikebana workshop on the theme of "Wishing the Peace and Friendship Beyond the Country Through Flowers." Akie Abe (front row, center), wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, poses with 29 ambassadors and spouses at the prime minister's residence. | COURTESY OF JUNKO KATANO

A pair of Ireland fans embrace a Scotland supporter as they wait to enter International Stadium Yokohama ahead of Sunday's Pool A match between the countries at the Rugby World Cup. Ireland won 27-3, scoring four tries and earning a bonus point. | AP

Paola Faccioli (second from right), CEO of Pasticceria Cova poses with, from far left, Tokyu Corporation Executive General Manager of Retail Business Headquarters Masahiro Horie; Tokyu Corp. President and Representative Director Kazuo Takahashi; Tokyu Group Chairman of the Board, Representative Director Chairman Hirofumi Nomoto; and President of LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton Japan K.K. Norbert Leuret, during a reception at Cafe Cova Milano GINZA SIX for the grand opening of the new flagship store in Ginza on Sept. 10. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Sagi Muki (second from left), gold medalist in the World Judo Championships Tokyo 2019 men's 81-kilogram weight class, poses with (from left) Moshe Ponte, president of the Israel Judo Association, Israeli Ambassador Yaffa Ben-Ari and Israel's national coach, Oren Smadja, during a party to celebrate Israel's first World Judo Championship men's gold medal at the ambassador's residence on Aug. 30. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On Aug. 27, the leaders of the six Tohoku prefectures (Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata and Fukushima), Niigata Prefecture, the city of Sendai, the Tohoku branch of several tourism organizations and major Tohoku economic organizations visited Thailand, one of the important inbound markets for Tohoku, where they interacted with their Thai counterparts in the government, as well as tourism and airline companies in Thailand, at Intercontinental Bangkok. This is a top-level effort by the heads of Tohoku to further encourage mutual cooperation between Thailand and Tohoku. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOHOKU TOURISM PROMOTION ORGANIZATION

Thai Culture Minister Itthiphol Kunplome (third from right) poses for a photo alongside designer Prapakas Angsusingha (far left), Thai Ambassador Bansarn Bunnag (third from left) and his wife, Yupadee (fourth from left), as well as other participants and models from the show. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

An event titled "Thai Textile: A Touch of Thai" was held at Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park on Aug. 19. Kiminori Iwama, chief of protocol at the Foreign Ministry, and his wife, Tomomi watch a demonstration of Thai textiles. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Angela Ayllon (center), Bolivian charge d'affaires ad interim, poses with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiyoto Tsuji (left) and Tomoyuki Yoshida, director-general of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, during a reception to celebrate the 194th anniversary of Bolivian independence at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, on Aug. 1. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

French Ambassador Laurent Pic (second from left) and Frederic Mazenq (left), a spokesman for the France Tourism Development Agency, receive a donation toward the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral, which was severely damaged in a fire, from Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (second from right) and Kumamon, Kumamoto Prefecture's official mascot, during a ceremony at the French Embassy on July 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

At the opening ceremony of the World Cosplay Summit 2019, Tokumaru Oguri (front row, fourth from left), executive committee chairman of the World Cosplay Summit 2019, and Mitsuko Shino (front row, fifth from left), director-general for cultural affairs and assistant minister for the Foreign Ministry, pose with cosplayers representing 39 countries and areas at the Tokyo Dome Hotel on July 26. The World Cosplay Championship will be held at the Aichi Arts Center on Aug. 4. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

At a press conference photo session during the launch event for 30% Club Japan, Shiseido President and CEO Masahiko Uotani (center) was named chair of the 30% Club while Yoriko Goto (left), board chair of Deloitte Tohmatsu, and Mellon Douglas Hymas, country executive managing director at The Bank of New York, were both named vice chair of the 30% Club. The 30% Club is a global campaign founded in the United Kingdom that aims to achieve a sound gender balance in corporate decision-making bodies. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Egyptian Ambassador Ayman Kamel (second from left) and his wife, Ghada Youssef (far right), pose with Kenji Yamada, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs (far left), and Kaori Kono, wife of Foreign Minister Taro Kono, during a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Egypt's national day at a reception at the ambassador's residence on July 8. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Madagascan Ambassador Mireille Mialy Rakotomalala (center) poses with (from left) Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada; Chairperson of the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League Ichiro Aisawa; Eritrean Ambassador and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo Afeworki Haile Estifanos; Kentaro Sonoura , special adviser to the prime minister; Djiboutian Ambassador and President of La Francophonie in Japan's promotion board Ahmed Araita Ali; and Asahiko Mihara, acting chairperson of the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League during a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate Madagascar's 59th independence day at Hotel Okura Tokyo on June 27. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

VietJet Air announces the launch of two new routes (Narita to Ho Chi Minh City and Haneda to Danang), celebrating with a kagamiwari sake barrel-breaking ceremony. Toshihiro Nikai (far left), chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship League and secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, breaks open a barrel with (from second from left) Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; Nguyen Thanh Hung, vice chairman of VietJet's board of directors; Isao Iijima, special adviser to the Cabinet; and Satsuki Katayama, minister of state for regional revitalization, at New Otani Hotel on July 1. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Above: Maria Zurawska of Poland receives the Foreign Minister's Prize from Hiroyuki Yamaya, director of the Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division and ministerial secretariat of the Foreign Ministry, at the 22nd annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. Left and far left: Byungsik Jung of South Korea, winner of the Education Minister's Prize, and Jason Hackworth of the United States, winner of the Cultural Affairs Agency Prize, deliver speeches at the competition. Below: Eleven participants from 11 embassies and organizations pose for a photo after the competition at Tokyo's Akasaka Kumin Center on June 22. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Maria Zurawska of Poland receives the Foreign Minister’s Prize from Hiroyuki Yamaya, director of the Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Division and ministerial secretariat of the Foreign Ministry, at the 22nd annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

At his farewell reception, Danish Ambassador Freddy Svane (second from left) and his wife, Lise Frederiksen (far right), poses with Kaori Kono (far left), wife of Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and Tadahiko Ito, secretary-general of the Japan-Denmark Parliamentary Friendship League, at the Danish Embassy on July 2. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Philippine Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V (second from left) gives a toast with (from far left) former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norikazu Suzuki during a reception to celebrate the 121st anniversary of Philippine independence at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo on June 19. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The two co-chairmen on the Vietnam Festival 2019 executive committee, Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Hong Nam (third from right) and Former State Minister and founder of Vietnam Festival Iwao Matsuda (third from left), pose with (from left) Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norikazu Suzuki; Satsuki Katayama, minister for regional revitalization and women's empowerment; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife, Akie; and Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Vietnam Festival 2019 at Yoyogi Park on June 8. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The Malaysian Embassy held an open house in conjunction with Eid al-Fitr, a festive celebration marking the end of Ramadan. The embassy served various festive foods at the event, which was attended by 650 members of the Malaysian community, students and honorary guests. Yoko Sakurai (far left), an official in the Foreign Ministry, poses with (from second from left) Foreign Ministry Second Southeast Asia Division Director Shingo Miyamoto, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Tokyo Director Mohd Riduan Abd Rahman, I.M. Jihan Managing Director Steven Ozeki Tan and Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Kennedy Jawan at the celebration on June 5. | COURTESY OF THE MALAYSIAN EMBASSY

Argentinian Ambassador Alan Beraud (second from left) joins (from left) State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and Director-General of the Japan-Argentina Parliamentary Friendship League Yukari Sato; Diet member and President of the Japan-Argentina Parliamentary Friendship League Kozo Yamamoto; Councilor and Sub Secretary-General of the Japan-Argentina Parliamentary Friendship League Shigeharu Aoyama; and Director-General of the Foreign Ministry's Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau Takahiro Nakamae during a reception to celebrate Argentina's national day at the ambassador's official residence on May 27. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Bulgarian Ambassador Borislav Kostov (fourth from left) poses with (from left) Director-General of The Japan Bulgaria Foundation Akiko Igaya; Japan Women's University professor and researcher in international relations and Bulgarian studies Makoto Kimura; Manya Kostova, wife of the Bulgarian ambassador; Sofia University professor and expert on East Asia Evgeniy Kandilarov; Bulgarian diplomat and translator of Japanese literature Vera Stefanova; Nishogakusha University honorary professor Junko Sugahara; and Josai International University professor and Deputy Director of the Josai Institute for Central European Studies Nobuhiro Shiba at an academic symposium on Bulgaria-Japan exchanges and cooperation at Josai University in Tokyo on June 1. The symposium was dedicated to the "triple anniversary" in Bulgaria-Japan relations: 110 years since first official contact, 80 years since the first establishment of diplomatic relations and 60 years since the restoration of diplomatic relations. | YOSHIKAI MIURA

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (center) shakes hands with Jakarta city government's assistant of economics and finance regional secretary, Sri Haryati (left), and Indonesian Ambassador Arifin Tasrif during a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of sister city relations between Jakarta and Tokyo at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo on May 22. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Laotian Ambassador Viroth Sundara (back row, fifth from right), his wife, Simuang (middle row, seventh from right), and Laos Festival 2019 Organizing Committee Chairman Yuji Arai (middle row, third from left) pose with Laotian Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara (middle row, sixth from left), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe (middle row, sixth from right), Vice Secretary-General of the Japan-Lao Parliamentary Friendship Union Yuko Obuchi and other ambassadors, politicians, businessmen and festival participants during the opening ceremony for Laos Festival 2019 at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on May 25. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Above left: Polish Ambassador Jacek Izydorczyk (left) poses with Vice-Minister of Culture and National Heritage Pawel Lewandowski (center) and Vice-Chairman of the Japan-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Association Banri Kaieda at a press conference. Above right: Polish Ambassador Jacek Izydorczyk (second from left) and his wife, Magdalena (left), welcome Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada (second from right) and Chairman of the Japan-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Association Hirofumi Nakasone during a reception to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and Japan and Poland's national day at Hotel New Otani on May 23. courtesy of the polish embassy, | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Left to right: PTA Chairman, Atsubumi Taguchi; First Chairman of the Board of Directors Tsuneo Hayakawa; Rira Tsutsumi, student council representative; Head of School Trent Citrano; Suguru Yasuoka, student council representative; Former Governor of Chiba Prefecture Akiko Domoto; Chairman of the Board of Directors Kenichi Fukaya; and Director Kenichi Ishii at a commemorative tree-planting ceremony for the 10th annniversary of the Makuhari International School in Chiba Prefecture on May 15. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Thai Ambassador Bansarn Bunnag (back row, center) and his wife, Yupadee (back row, center left), pose with guest speakers (front row, from third from left) Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of State Mitsuhiro Miyakoshi, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and other ambassadors, politicians, businessmen and festival participants at the opening ceremony of Thai Festival Tokyo 2019 on May 11 at Yoyogi Park. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On May 3, the Festival de Camino a Latinoamerica was held in Odaiba. Above: Angela Karin Ayllon Quisbert, Bolivian charge d'affaires ad interim (back row, center), poses with (from back row, left) Hidejiro Mimura of the association of cultural exchange between Latin America and Japan; Ryuusuke Ohki, secretary-general of the Tokyo Waterfront City Association; Hidehiro Tsubaki, chairman of the Japan-Bolivia Association; Shinji Minami, director of the Foreign Ministry's Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, South America Division; and the Bolivia Dance Company during a Sicuriada parade celebrating the 120th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Bolivia. Left: Paraguayan Ambassador Raul Florentin Antola (right) dances to music played by 104 arpa (Paraguayan harp) musicians to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Paraguay. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

To support the 2019 YMCA International Charity Run, the oldest charity run in Japan, the Cameroonian ambassador and his wife held a charity dinner at the ambassador's residence in Nakameguro on April 26. Cameroonian Ambassador Pierre Ndzengue (third from right) and his wife, Alphonsine (second from right), joined (from left) Kazuko Nakajima, president of Sakura Global Club, the official supporter for Japan YMCA; Bekolo Ebe Epse Bebey Ejangue Viviane, first counselor at the Cameroonian Embassy; Yuko Arimori, a Japanese Olympic marathon medalist; and Seiichi Kanzaki, the national general secretary for The National Council of YMCAs of Japan, at the event. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On April 16, the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan (CAAJ) hosted Arab-Japan Day 2019 at the Hotel Okura Tokyo. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front row, center) poses with (from front row, left) the ambassadors of Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and Algeria, the ambassador of Palestinian territories and CAAJ dean, the ambassador of Djibouti and CAAJ president, the ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Lebanon and Iraq and (from top row, right) with the charge d'affaires of Sudan and Jordan, the ambassadors of Oman, Tunisia, Mauritania, Qatar and Kuwait, and the charge d'affaires of Libya and Saudi Arabia. | MIKI OSHITA

On April 17, Icelandic prosthetics manufacturer Ossur signed a contract with Japanese Paralympic athletes Shunsuke Itani (front row, left) and Maya Nakanishi (front row, right) during a ceremony held at the Icelandic Embassy. The athletes were joined by (back row, from left) Icelandic Embassy trade representative Halldor Elis Olafsson, Icelandic Ambassador Elin Flygenring and Ossur Japan's sales director, Shoko Nireki. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The Berlin-based street art group Tape That (first to third from left) poses with German Ambassador Hans Carl Freiherr von Werthern (right) and Bunkyo Ward Mayor Hironobu Narisawa at an opening ceremony debuting the group's artwork, made with adhesive tape, at the Bunkyo Civic Center in Tokyo. Tape That is in Japan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of sister city relations between Tokyo and Berlin. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

The Society of Wives of Arab Ambassadors in Japan (SWAAJ) hosted a friendly luncheon in honor of Akie Abe (front row, second from left), wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Kaori Kono (front row, second from right), wife of Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Abe and Kono were joined by the wife of the Palestinian ambassador and SWAAJ President Maali Siam (front row, left); wife of the Lebanese ambassador and luncheon host Nancy Nameh (front row, right); and other SWAAJ members at the Lebanese ambassador's residence on March 18. | MIKI OSHITA

Foreign Minister Taro Kono (front row, center) joins the Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan and Palestinian Ambassador Waleed Siam (third from left), Vice President and Djiboutian Ambassador Ahmed Araita Ali (third from right) and others at a dinner hosted by the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Japan at the Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo on March 18. | MIKI OSHITA

Paraguayan Ambassador Raul Florentin Antola (second from left) poses with (from left) nanduti (traditional embroidered lace) craftwork teacher Mie Elena Iwatani; Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiyoto Tsuji; Chiyoda Ward Mayor Masami Ishikawa; anniversary logo designer Tai Sato; and Secretary-General of the Japan-Paraguay Parliamentary Friendship League Koichi Tani during a reception to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Paraguay at Chiyoda City Hall on March 18. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Australian Ambassador Richard Fairfax Court (back row, third from left); Argentinian Ambassador Alan Claudio Beraud (back row, third from right); and Russian Ambassador Mikhail Y. Galuzin (back row, second from right), who are each ambassadors of countries participating in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, pose with (back row, from left) Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency Hiroshi Tabata; Diet members Yosuke Tsuruno and Yasutoshi Nishimura; Chairman of the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kenichi Fujinaga (front row, center); Chairman of the Kagoshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yoshitaro Iwasaki (front row, second from right); and others during an event promoting tourism and local foods of Kyushu at the Tokyo Prince Hotel on March 19. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe (third from left) poses for a photo with (from fourth from left) Kosovan Ambassador Leon Malazogu; Ryu Shionoya, president of the Japan-Kosovo Parliamentary Friendship Group; Yoshifumi Okamura, ambassador of the Foreign Ministry's TICAD; Kadri Veseli, president of the Republic of Kosovo Assembly; Jun Saito (far right), ambassador to the Western Balkans and deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry's European Affairs Bureau; and others to celebrate the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Kosovo and Japan as well as Kosovo's 11th independence anniversary at Hotel Okura Tokyo on March 14. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Irish Ambassador Paul Kavanagh (right) visits Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu to exchange opinions on the 2019 Rugby World Cup. During the meeting at the Shizuoka Prefectural Office on March 8, the two leaders expressed hopes for future exchanges and traded souvenirs. | COURTESY OF SHIZUOKA PREFECTURE

The opening ceremony of the 44th edition of the Foodex Japan international food and beverage trade show at Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, on March 5. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Ehime Gov. Tokihiro Nakamura (third from right) poses with (from left) Toshihiro Suzuki, chairman of the Ehime Prefectural Assembly; Junzo Yamamoto, chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission and minister of state for Disaster Management; Foreign Minister Taro Kono; Diet member Takumi Ihara; and Panamanian Ambassador Ritter Nobel Diaz Gomez before breaking open a sake barrel at a reception co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry and the governor of Ehime Prefecture at Iikura Guest House on Feb. 19. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Serbian Ambassador Nenad Glisic (center) poses with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada (left) and Naohide Ueyama, honorary consul general of Serbia and president of Kincho Dainihon Jochugiku Co., during a reception at the embassy to celebrate Serbia's national day on Feb. 15. | EDLEEN OTHMAN

El Salvadoran Ambassador Martha Lidia Zelayandia Cisneros (front row, fourth from left) poses with The National Council of YMCAs of Japan National General Secretary Seiichi Kanzaki (front row, right) and other participants at the ambassador's residence on Feb. 14. The El Salvadoran Embassy and Japan's YMCA held a joint charity lunch. "Pupusa,'' the national food of El Salvador, was served to attendees. Funds will support challenged children in Japan and improving the general hygiene of children in El Salvador. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

French Ambassador Laurent Pic (fourth from left) celebrates the partnership between France and Gifu Prefecture with (from left) Diet members Kozo Yamamoto, Keiji Furuya and Seiko Noda; Gifu Gov. Hajime Furuta; Councilor Akiko Santo; and Gifu deputies Yoshiaki Bito and Ikuo Nojima at the ambassador's residence on Feb. 1. | COURTESY OF FRENCH EMBASSY

From Feb. 8 to 11, the flower exhibition "Peace Through Flowers" was held at Haneda International Airport Terminal's Edo Theater. Twenty-two ambassadors, supervised by Masaru Akai, exhibited flower arrangements to seek peace in the world. The exhibition's opening ceremony was held on Feb. 8. Katsuji Doi, president of the Tokyo International Air Terminal Building (front row, center), event supervisor Maseru Akai (front row, eighth from left), and 21 ambassadors and their spouses attended the event to express messages of peace. | PHOTO COURTESY OF JUNKO KATANO

Shinya Katanozaka (second from right), ANA Holdings president and CEO, poses with (from left) Philippine Airlines President and COO Jaime J. Bautista; LT Group President and PAL Holdings Director Michael G. Tan; and All Nippon Airways President and CEO Yuji Hirako during a ceremony announcing a business and capital partnership between ANA Holdings and PAL Holdings at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo on Feb. 8. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On Feb. 1, European Union Ambassador Patricia Flor (front row, third from right) breaks open a sake barrel at the Delegation of the European Union to mark the beginning of the enforcement of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement together with (from left) House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Kenji Wakamiya; State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoshihiro Seki; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takamori Yoshikawa; Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs Minister Mitsuhiro Miyakoshi; and Parliamentary Vice Finance Minister Shinichi Isa. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Myanmar's ambassador, Thurain Thant Zin (center), and his wife, Khin Soe Naung (right), welcome Minister for Reconstruction Hiromichi Watanabe during a reception to celebrate the anniversary of Myanmar's 71st independence day at the embassy on Jan. 24. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

During the inaugural meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission, Canadian Minister of International Trade Diversification James Gordon Carr (second from right) poses at a promotional event for Canadian beef with (from left) Greg Giokas, acting executive director for Asia of the Canada Beef International Institute; Takao Makino, managing director of Nissin Meat Products Co. Ltd.; Naoto Suzuki, president of Nissin Meat Products Co. Ltd.; and Dennis Laycraft, executive vice president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association at the Nissin World Delicatessen in Tokyo on Jan. 20. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Nestle Japan Ltd.'s KitKat Chocolatory held a Valentine's Press Conference on Jan. 15 to launch its new Sublime Volcanic KitKat. Managing Executive Officer of the confectionary business group Cedric Lacroix (far left) poses with (from left) model Laura Yamada, professional rugby player Akihito Yamada and owner-chef of Le Patissier Takagi Yasumasa Takagi at the Maru Building, Marunochi. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Kenyan Ambassador Solomon Karanja Maina (left) poses for a photo with Takahiro Iinuma, a forestry policy administrator in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, on Dec. 20 alongside two cherry blossom trees donated by the Fukushima government that have been planted on the grounds of the Kenyan Embassy. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Shizuoka Mayor Nobuhiro Tanabe (front row, second from right) poses for a photo with members of the city's key organizations at a news conference at Tokyo Prince Hotel on Dec. 18 to unveil the local government's new slogan, "Shizuoka City, shining world." | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Above: Egyptian Ambassador Ayman Kamel (back row, center) poses with 27 relatives of victims from the floods in western Japan in July last year who traveled to Egypt to spend the holiday season with host families between Dec. 23 and 30 on the invitation of President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi and the Egyptian government. Left: The group poses for a photo in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza and the pyramids during their stay in Egypt. | COURTESY OF THE EGYPTIAN EMBASSY

On Dec. 19 at the Ginza Wako Main Building, Seiko Holdings Corp. Chairman and CEO Shinji Hattori (left) appoints actress Haruya Ayase as Seiko's "One-Day CEO." Seiko's new Dream Square building opened in Ginza on Dec. 20. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

This year, 26 embassies and 35 heads of various ikebana schools participated in the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter's annual Ikebana International Fair, held at the Royal Park Hotel on Dec. 19. Kicking-off the ribbon-cutting ceremony are Ikebana International Fair 2018 Chairperson Matelda Starace (front row, far left), Princess Takamado (front row, center) and Misako Ishii, president of the Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter (front row, far right). | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Kenyan Ambassador S.K. Maina (center) and his wife, Rose Maina (third from right), raise a toast with (from left) Jun Karube, chairman of Toyota Tsusho and the honorary consul for Kenya; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahisa Sato; Yasuhiko Yokoi, chairman of the Committee on Africa-Japan Relations; Nobuhide Hayashi, chairman of Mizuho; and Nobuhiro Endo, chairman of NEC, during a reception to celebrate Kenya's 55th anniversary of independence at the Tokyo Marriott Hotel on Dec. 12. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Regional Revitalization Summit mayoral participants (from left) Ryuzaburo Furukawa (Shimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture); Hiroshi Ota (Izumi, Chiba Prefecture); Junya Tsuzuku (Hida, Gifu Prefecture); Akio Okada (Chikuma, Nagano Prefecture); Toyohiko Tanaka (Mobara, Chiba Prefecture); Atsushi Naruse (Kotacho, Aichi Prefecture); and Yasuhiro Uchida (Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture) pose during a press conference organized by the Local Tourism Council at Toshi Center Hotel on Nov. 20. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of bilateral relations between Venezuela and Japan and 90 years since the first Japanese immigration to Venezuela, 1the El Sistema Festival 2018 held a special gala concert at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre's Big Hall on Dec. 1. Inspired by the renowned Venezuelan El Sistema musical education program, El Sistema Japan was founded in 2012. | © FESJ / 2018 / KOICHIRO KITASHITA

On Nov. 26, the Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo hosted a launch event for the Japanese translation of the graphic novel "Mujib." Radwan Mujib Siddiq, publisher of "Mujib" (third from left), Bangladesh Ambassador Rabab Fatima (fourth from left), Akie Abe, wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (center), Sheikh Rehana, daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (fourth from right), Toshiko Abe, state minister for foreign affairs (third from right), and Masaaki Ohashi, Japanese translator of "Mujib" (second from right), pose with copies of the book. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Romanian Ambassador Tatiana Iosiper (right) joins, from left, Mihai Covaliu, Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist in fencing and president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee; Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the Japan-Romania Parliamentary Friendship League; Nadia Comaneci, Montreal 1976 Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics; and Kenji Yamada, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs, during a reception to celebrate Romania's national day at Hotel Okura in Tokyo on Nov. 29. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Italian Ambassador Giorgio Starace (center) joins Vittorio Moretti, president of Franciacorta (right), and Manlio Cadelo, ambassador of San Marino (left), to promote Franciacorta Day 2018 at the Italian ambassador's residence in Tokyo on Nov. 21. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Irish Ambassador Paul Kavanagh (center) and Paul Gilsenan, president of the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC)(far right), join the winners of the 2018 IJCC Ireland Japan Business Awards, Hiroshi Ichikawa, vice president and Japan general manager of of Icon Plc (far left), Akira Oyama, corporate executive vice president of Ricoh Co. Ltd. (second from left) and Alan Fisher, owner of Kyojin Artistry Co. LLC (second from right) during a ceremony at the Conrad Tokyo on Nov.22. | COURTESY OF THE IRISH EMBASSY

Mohamed El Amine Bencherif, Algerian ambassador to Japan (second from left), and his wife, Amira (left), raise a toast with Kenji Yamada, parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs (second from right), and Akira Urabe, president of the Japan-Algeria Association and former ambassador to Algeria (right), during a reception at the embassy to celebrate Algeria's 64th national day on Nov. 16. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Steve Dewire, Grand Hyatt Tokyo's general manager (back row, center), joins Marie Seino, chief director of Re Kikou (back row, left), Harumi Torii, founder of Kids Earth Fund (back row, right) and 40 students from Tokyo International School at the hotel's Christmas ornament crafting workshop on Nov. 20. Grand Hyatt Tokyo's annual charity program supports people with disabilities as well as children affected by natural disasters in Tohoku, Kumamoto and Hokkaido. This year's theme is "Sparkle with Joy." | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On Nov. 10, the Kawagoe Country Club hosted the Panama Maritime Golf Tournament to commemorate the 115th anniversary of Panama's national day and renew ties between Panama and Japanese shipping and business communities. Koichi Muto, president of the Japan Shipowners' Association (first from left), poses with Ritter Diaz, the Panamanian ambassador (third from left), Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura and Sushizanmai (fourth from left), Seishiro Eto, president of the Panama-Japan Interparliamentary League (fifth from left), Takahiro Nakamae, director-general of the Latin-American and Caribbean divisions of Japan's Foreign Ministry (fourth from right) and other guests. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

From left: John Fritz, ambassador of Micronesia; Toshiko Abe, state minister for foreign affairs; Peter M. Christian, president of the Federated States of Micronesia; Lorin S. Robert, secretary of foreign affairs of the Federated States of Micronesia; Masanao Ozaki, governor of Kochi Prefecture; and congressional speaker Wesley W. Siminia celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Pacific island nation as well as its independence day at Hotel New Otani on Nov. 2. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Takanori Nakamura (center) receives a plaque for his appointment as "Ambassador of the Best of Colombia" from Hiroshi Wago Rojas, executive director of ProColombia Japan (left), and Gabriel Duque, Colombian ambassador to Japan (right), during a ceremony at the ambassador's residence on Nov. 7. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

On Nov. 2, the Embassy of Honduras in Japan held an event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Mitch. During the ceremony, the embassy presented plaques and diplomas to organizations and individuals who generously and selflessly contributed their support during the emergency produced by the hurricane and its resulting aftermath. The organizations honored in the event included the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defense, Japan's Self-Defense Forces, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japan Overseas Cooperative Association, the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia and members of the Sawai Koto Academy. Hondurian Ambassador Alejandro Palma Cerna (front row, fourth from right) and Masateru Ito, Japanese ambassador to Honduras during Hurricane Mitch (front row, fourth from left), pose with participants at JICA Global Plaza, Ichigaya. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Hungarian Ambassador Norbert Palanovics (left) joins Seishiro Eto (right), chairman of the Japan-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship League, at a reception celebrating Hungary's national day in Tokyo on Oct. 19. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Saulius Skvernelis (center), prime minister of Lithuania, joins Hirofumi Nakasone (left), chairman of the Japan-Lithuania Friendship Diet Member's League, and Gediminas Varvuolis (right), Lithuanian ambassador to Japan, during a reception to celebrate the centenary of the restoration of the State of Lithuania at Hotel Okura on Oct. 9. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

German Ambassador Hans Carl von Werthern (second from left) and his wife, Elizabeth (left), raise glasses for a toast with Foreign Minister Taro Kono (right), and his wife, Kaori (second from right), during a reception celebrating Germany's Unity Day at the von Werthern residence in Tokyo on Oct. 3. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Macedonian Ambassador Andrijana Cvetkovikj (center) joins from left, Member of the House of Councilors Kimi Onoda; Masahiro Ishii; Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Manabu Horii; Member of the House of representative Yasuhide Nakayama; Shinako Tsuchiya; and Shunsuke Takei during a reception to celebrate of the Independence Day and 25 Years Diplomatic Relations between Macedonia and Japan at Hotel Okura on Sept. 26. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike (second from left) welcomes Diane d'Arras (center), president of the International Water Association, and participants of the World Water Congress and Exhibition at Kiyosumi Garden on Sept.18. | HIROKO INOUE

Katsuya Suzuki (right), Aeroflot sales manager for Japan and Australia, presents Fish and Chips Eating Contest winner software engineer Nikolai Egorov with a round-trip airline ticket from Japan to London during The Great British Weekend Tokyo 2017-2020 at Roppongi Hills on Sept. 1. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Georgian sumo wrestler Tochinoshin (right) poses with Georgian Ambassador Levan Tsintsadze during a ceremony to celebrate Tochinoshin's advancement to the rank of ozeki at Tokyo Dome Hotel on Sept. 1. | YOSHIAKI MIURA