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Lo Hoi-ying

Japan’s representative to Hong Kong has said his consulate is making “steady progress” in improving ties with the city, while noting the absence of top local officials at a celebration of the emperor’s birthday amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
Jun Miura, the country’s consul general to the city, on Thursday expressed his thanks for the friendship between Japan and Hong Kong at an event marking the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito.
“While we do not have a guest of honour per se, I consider you all to be our guests of honour,” the envoy said in a speech.
Last year’s reception was attended by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, who at the time praised Miura for his fluent English and celebrity-like looks.
Former leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was also spotted among last year’s attendees.
The guests of honour for the events in 2024 and 2023 were Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok, respectively.
High-level interactions between the Hong Kong government and the Japanese consulate have reportedly come to a standstill in light of the diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.
City leader John Lee Ka-chiu previously said all official exchanges between Hong Kong and Japan should respect the dignity of the Chinese nation and align with the interests of Hongkongers, as he questioned the effectiveness of such interactions amid tensions.
Despite the lack of an official guest of honour, Miura reiterated his love and appreciation for the city, thanking guests for gathering “at this difficult time”.
The South China Morning Post has reached out to the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office for comment on the government’s absence from this year’s event.
Miura, who took over from Kenichi Okada in December 2024, said at this year’s event that his positive impression of Hong Kong remained unchanged more than a year after assuming the role of consul general.
“Throughout most of last year, we were able to make steady progress in our relationship with Hong Kong, across a wide range of fields including the economy, culture, education and tourism,” he said.

Miura noted the popularity of the Japanese anime Chiikawa and Demon Slayer among Hongkongers.
“I truly love the people of Hong Kong for the openness, warmth and curiosity with which you embrace Japanese culture, and I thank those who bring it to life here,” he said.
The envoy also pointed to the “steady recovery” in the number of Japanese visitors to Hong Kong.
“The number of tourists from Hong Kong to Japan continues to stay at a very high level, reflecting strong interest not only in major cities but also in regional destinations across Japan,” he said.
He joked that he often learned about the must-see places in the most remote parts of Japan from Hongkongers.
“I am delighted to see so many Hong Kong people visit Japan and enjoy great food and alcoholic beverages in beautiful places,” he said.
The celebration opened with a drum performance by a Hong Kong-based Japanese taiko group. Representatives from 11 prefectures also set up booths to promote the delicacies of their regions.
The booths include ones promoting Fukushima and Tochigi prefectures, whose aquatic products are banned from being imported into the city in response to Tokyo’s discharge of radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.


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Hong Kong politics

Japan’s consulate in Hong Kong marks emperor’s birthday, but city officials absent

Jun Miura, Japan’s consul general to Hong Kong, speaks at a reception to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s 66th birthday. Photo: Lo Hoi-ying

The envoy has noted the popularity of the Japanese anime Chiikawa and Demon Slayer among Hongkongers. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong travellers continue to favour Japan despite geopolitical tensions

People walk through the Nakamise Shopping Street at the Asakusa district in Tokyo on January 8, 2026. Photo: AFP

Amous Lee, CEO and founding partner, FM Investment Group. Photo: Leopold Chen

Hong Kong Cantopop singer Raymond Lam cancels 2 concerts in Japan amid China friction

Hong Kong actor and singer Raymond Lam will not be performing in Tokyo. Photo: Handout

Japanese pop singer Ayumi Hamasaki has also been affected by the fallout. Photo: Handout

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Envoy remarks on absence of traditional ‘guest of honour’ from city government, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing


Envoy remarks on absence of traditional ‘guest of honour’ from city government, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.


Japan’s consulate in Hong Kong marks emperor’s birthday, but city officials absent

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Envoy remarks on absence of traditional ‘guest of honour’ from city government, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing

Envoy remarks on absence of traditional ‘guest of honour’ from city government, amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing