It was an honour to be invited to join the festivities at the Japanese Embassy Spring Reception on Friday evening.

In Japanese culture, the arrival of Spring is of great significance. It brings with it a sense of renewal and revitalisation.

It is the start of the new school year, the new fiscal year begins and, of course, cherry blossoms bloom.

Fukuda-san – Iron Chef – brought his superb culinary skills to the evening.

Maeda-san entertained guests with amazing performance of his world-renowned close-up magic.

As Chair of the Federal Australia-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group I was pleased to be part of this beautiful event.