The 2025 New Year Cocktail Reception (Gashi-Kokan-Kai)
2025/1/8
On January 7, 2025, the Embassy of Japan hosted the New Year Cocktail Reception at Palasia Hotel. This annual gathering, known as “Gashi-Kokan-Kai,” serves as a celebration where attendees exchange New Year greetings. The event emphasizes the strong and ongoing diplomatic relations between Japan and Palau. These ties have been vital in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the two nations.
Ambassador ORIKASA welcomed many guests including Ministers, traditional leaders, Senators, Delegates, Governors, Palau women’s associations, Sports associations and many more.
The reception began with opening remarks by Ambassador ORIKASA, who highlighted Japan and Palau’s strong partnership rooted in trust, cooperation and shared values. He also mentioned 2025 as a year which marks the 10th anniversary of the historical visit to Palau by His Majesty Emperor Akihito and Her Majesty Empress Michiko in 2015 as well as the 80th year since the end of World War II.
This was followed by a toast by Dr. Patrick Tellei, Chairperson of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee. The 2025 Pacific Mini Games, set to take place in Palau from June 29 to July 9, 2025, will mark the nation's second time hosting this exciting event. During the reception, guests exchanged greetings and were able to network with those from different organizations.
The Embassy of Japan hopes that the friendship between Japan and Palau will continue to grow stronger through people-to-people exchanges and the deepening of mutual understanding.
Ambassador ORIKASA welcomed many guests including Ministers, traditional leaders, Senators, Delegates, Governors, Palau women’s associations, Sports associations and many more.
The reception began with opening remarks by Ambassador ORIKASA, who highlighted Japan and Palau’s strong partnership rooted in trust, cooperation and shared values. He also mentioned 2025 as a year which marks the 10th anniversary of the historical visit to Palau by His Majesty Emperor Akihito and Her Majesty Empress Michiko in 2015 as well as the 80th year since the end of World War II.
This was followed by a toast by Dr. Patrick Tellei, Chairperson of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games Organizing Committee. The 2025 Pacific Mini Games, set to take place in Palau from June 29 to July 9, 2025, will mark the nation's second time hosting this exciting event. During the reception, guests exchanged greetings and were able to network with those from different organizations.
The Embassy of Japan hopes that the friendship between Japan and Palau will continue to grow stronger through people-to-people exchanges and the deepening of mutual understanding.