Cowra Welcomes New Ambassador

Cowra Shire Mayor Bill West says he is looking forward to a special relationship with the incoming Australian Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Mr Shingo Yamagami, after his first visit to Cowra on Monday.

Ambassador Yamagami will officially become the Japanese Ambassador of Australia on Thursday, when he is sworn into the role by the Governor-General of Australia in Canberra.

Knowing the significant role Cowra plays in the strong relationship between Australia and Japan, Ambassador Yamagami, who recently moved to Australia, decided to visit Cowra and learn more about its historical connections with Japan, ahead of being sworn in as the Ambassador. Mayor West said this showed just how much he cared about maintaining and growing the relationship between Cowra and Japan.

“We’ve always had very close relationships with Japanese Ambassadors, and they have always been very keen and supportive of the relationship between Cowra and Japan,” he said.

“There is great signs that this will continue to grow, considering Ambassador Yamagami has decide to travel here before officially becoming the Ambassador.” Ambassador Yamagami said he came to Cowra to pay his respects to those that lost their lives during the Cowra Breakout, and said that he was deeply touched by the sacrifices they made.

“I am also deeply touched by the efforts of Cowra Mayors and people for establishing the War Cemetery,” he said.

“I am pleased to see how far the Australia and Japan relationship has come. We have friendship, mutual understanding, and there is now an element of mutual trust. We understand one another. I see Cowra as the spiritual home of Australia and Japan relations.”

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