Diplomatic Corps "Explore Tokyo"

On Wednesday, January 21, an annual event called "Explore Tokyo," which introduces Tokyo to the diplomatic corps, and a reception hosted by Governor Masuzoe were held at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. About 100 diplomats, including many ambassadors, from 59 countries and regions participated in the event which began with an explanation on the policies of the Tokyo metropolitan government. This was followed by a tour of the museum's special exhibit, "Explore! Experience! Edo-Tokyo," which featured materials on the history of Edo, its culture and daily life, and a hands-on corner where participants were able to experience a carriage used to carry the feudal lords and the weight of a chest for gold coins, among others.

In his welcome speech given in English at the reception that followed, the governor said that he will work to ensure the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and make Tokyo the best city in the world, and that he hopes to continue to work and cooperate with the cities of the world. After the speech, in a gesture to the 2020 Games, ambassadors from five countries representing the five continents of the world participated in a traditional "kagamibiraki" ceremony, in which the lid of a wooden barrel of sake is broken open with wooden mallets.

The Explore Tokyo event was held to deepen friendship with the foreign embassies and representative offices in Tokyo and to introduce Tokyo's attractions and policies. At the reception, food prepared from local ingredients and sake brewed in Tokyo were served to promote Tokyo's delicious food culture.