On March 20, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force’s Icebreaker, ‘Shirase’, arrived in Sydney. To mark this occasion, a reception onboard the icebreaker was held and hosted by the Commanding Officer of ‘Shirase’, Captain Koji Miyazaki, Leader of the 59th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition Team, Dr. Koichiro Doi, together with the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, Mr. Keizo Takewaka. ‘Shirase’ carries the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition Team and is on its way from Showa Station in Antarctica back to Japan.
During the event, the chefs of ‘Shirase’ served Japanese cuisine and the attending guests deepened their friendship while enjoying the cuisine.At the beginning of the reception, the Consul-General of Japan in Sydney gave a speech followed by The Hon. David Elliott (Minister for Counter Terrorism, Minister for Corrections, and Minister for Veterans Affairs), Commander Luke Charles-Jones (CSC, OAM, RAN, Chief of Staff for Fleet Headquarters (representing Fleet Commander RADM Jonathan Mead)), and Dr. Doi. The lively Australia-Japan relationship in various fields was highlighted in the speeches. ‘Shirase’ takes its name from an Antarctic glacier named after Japan’s first Antarctic explorer, Lieutenant Nobu Shirase, and remains a symbol of friendship between Australia and Japan.
From the 3rd to the 13th of December, eight selected swimmers from the Fukuoka Swimming Association visited NSW, where they participated in joint training sessions with a local school and competed in the 2024-25 Speedo NSW Senior State Age Championships.
