Official Opening of “Japan’s coastline and its people” photo exhibition
Present at the opening ceremony were Hon. Semisi Sika, Minister for Tourism, Her Excellency Mrs. Sarah Walsh, the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr. Huang Huaguang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Va’inga Tone, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, amongst other notable guests.
Ambassador Numata in his welcoming remarks anticipated that the photographs on display captured by forefront professional photographers of Japan’s archetype landscape and people’s lives and culture, will lead to the discovery of the commonality between Tonga and Japan. The Ambassador also highlighted the presences of Mr. Norihiko Matsumoto, Vice President of the Japan Professional Photographers Society who visited the Kingdom for the first time, specifically to enrich the exhibition with his attendance and insight.
Mr. Matsumoto led a delegation to Tonga from the Japan Professional Photographers Society including Mr. Takeshi Uchibori and Mr. Ken Ebisawa. Whilst in Nuku’alofa Mr. Matsumoto met local photographers during a workshop, and taught photographing, camera technique and skills. Hon. Semisi Sika, Minister for Tourism acknowledged the success collaboration facilitating the photo exhibition, and its contribution to the tourism sector and attracting tourists while being exhibited.
The photo exhibition portrayed 100 photographs, was made possible by the joint effort between the Japan Professional Photographers Society and the Japan Foundation with the support of the Embassy of Japan, and the collaboration from the Ministry of Tourism and the Tonga Tourism Authority. Photographs displayed included some images backdated to the 1950’s, and some images from the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, 2011.
The photo exhibition is now open for public viewing from the Visitor’s Information Center lawn, Tonga Tourism Authority Office at Vuna Road until Thursday 22, September 2016. (Please click here for more infomation about the exhibition).
HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala officially opened the exhibition featuring photos from Japan’s coastline and its people. From rear are H.E Mr. Yukio Numata, Ambassador of Japan and Mr. Norihiko Matsumoto, Vice President of the Japan Professional Photographers Society.
Their Royal Highnesses, Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Tonga with Japan Professional Photographer Society delegation after viewing the photo exhibition along with H.E Mr. Yukio Numata and Mrs. Numata.(On the left)
Invited guests viewing the photo exhibition on Friday, 9 September 2016. (On the right)
Their Royal Highness, Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Tonga accepting gifts from Mr. Matsumoto and the Japan Professional Photographer Society.(On the left)
Hon. Semisi Sika, Minister for Tourism along with H.E Mr. Huang Huaguang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and H.E. Mrs. Sarah Walsh, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga at the photo exhibition opening ceremony. (On the right)
Mr. Norihiko Matsumoto sharing camera skills with local photographers from Newspaper and Government Ministries, assisted by an interpreter Mr. Koheleti Tupou.(On the left)
Mr. Takeshi Uchibori sharing his expertise during the photographer’s workshop on Friday noon, 9 September 2016 at the Embassy of Japan’s conference room. (On the right)