Fiscal Year 2023 Annual General Meeting and Reception for Affiliate Members
On May 31, the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation held its “Fiscal Year 2023 Annual General Meeting and Reception for Affiliate Members” in Osaka.
The Annual General Meeting is held once a year to explain the purpose and objectives of the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation to its corporate and individual members, and to introduce the Foundation's daily business activities to deepen their understanding of the Foundation's activities.
At the beginning of the General Meeting, Mr. Yamaoka, President of the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation, gave welcome greetings and Mr. Matsumoto, Mayor of Amagasaki City, gave a congratulatory address on behalf of the guests. After that, Mr. Yukino, Executive Director, reported on last year's business and explained the business plan for this year. In the latter half of the general meeting, Professor Yanagihara of the Department of History and Culture at Tokyo Women's University gave a lecture on “The potential of 'Germany' in our daily lives, focusing on youth culture.”
Top right: Mr. Shin Matsumoto, Mayor of Amagasaki City
Bottom left: Mr. Yukino, Executive Director of the foundation
Bottom right: Prof. Nobuhiro Yanagihara, Professor of History and Culture, Tokyo Women's University
During the intermission after the general meeting, a bandoneon and string ensemble performed that was made up of Mr. Kazuma Miura, a world-renowned musician, and members of the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and other orchestras. It was such a lovely time that some people enjoyed the pieces while swaying their bodies to the beautiful sound.
At the reception, Mr. Asami, Mayor of Nagahama City, gave a toast, and then Mr. Martin Eberts, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Osaka-Kobe, who would retire in June, gave a heartfelt speech in which he thanked the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation for its activities contributing to academic and cultural exchange between Japan and Germany, and introduced Goethe's words, “Sounds fade away, but harmony remains,” that are engraved on a bell in the garden of the official residence of the German Embassy, which was donated by Magokichi Yamaoka.
To round off the event, Director Ikeuchi gave a closing speech, and the meeting ended in a friendly atmosphere.
Middle: Mr. Martin Eberts, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Osaka-Kobe
Right: Mr. Ikeuchi, Director of the foundation
As this was the first annual meeting in four years with no limit on the number of participants, the foundation members were able to get to know each other in depth. It was very impressive that many participants left with smiles on their faces.