His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman yesterday attended a dinner jointly hosted by Kyoto City Mayor Matsui Koji; Vice Governor of Kyoto Prefecture Furukawa Hironori; and Chairman of the Committee on Tourism and Industry of Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry Iwai Kazumichi.
The arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at the Kyoto State Guest House was greeted by Director General of Guest State House Mikami Akiteru and were introduced to the joint hosts for the dinner and their spouses.
During the welcoming ceremony, His Royal Highness delivered a sabda, expressing pleasure to visit Kyoto for the first time and acknowledged that it is home to many of Japan’s cultural landmarks and historical sites, making appropriate for the city to be promoted as a ‘365 days in year’ tourist destination.
His Royal Highness also expressed delight in experiencing the omotenashi (way of wholeheartedly looking after guests) of the people of Kyoto during the visits to the Sento Imperial Palace and Kinkaku-ji, whereby their history, culture and tradition are the many reasons why Kyoto is the ‘Cultural Heart of Japan’.
His Royal Highness shared that Brunei Darussalam and Japan have long fostered goodwill and friendship through various interactions at all levels, and believed that there are many opportunities for both countries to work together, especially in trade and investment.
In addition to celebrating 2024 Brunei-Japan Friendship Year, His Royal Highness concluded the sabda by expressing confidence that both countries will continue to further strengthen the much-valued relationship in the years to come.
The mayor of Kyoto also delivered welcoming remarks that highlighted the traditions, history, culture and scenic landscapes of Kyoto and expressed hope that the city can contribute to increasing cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Brunei Darussalam and Japan.
During the dinner, the vice governor of Kyoto Prefecture and Chairman of the Committee on Tourism and Industry of Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry also delivered speeches.
The dinner was enlivened by performances of traditional songs, known as so-Kyoku, played using the Japanese instrument koto.
PHOTO: INFOFOTO
