Cowra’s role in forging a bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan has been recognised, as Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Sumio Kusaka presented a citation to Cowra mayor, Cr Bill West on behalf of Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Fumio Kishida.
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On the 71st anniversary of the Cowra Breakout, Mr Kusaka commended the town’s commitment to reconciliation post World War II and to commemorating the mass escape of more than 1000 Japanese prisoners of war with dignity and respect.
“My wife and I are delighted to visit Cowra today. Although this is our first time being here, we have wanted to visit for a long, long time,” Mr Kusaka said.
“While I have not had the chance to visit [before], I am well aware of the importance of Cowra in the relations between Australia and Japan.
“Our bilateral relationship would not have been possible without the people and the government of Cowra.
“I have just come from the war cemeteries, where I participated in a wreath laying ceremony, paid my respects to the tremendous effort of the people of Cowra who built and to this day maintain the cemetery.
"I can imagine how difficult it must have been considering the animosity towards Japan and the Japanese after the end of World War II - once again, I express my sincere appreciation to the people of Cowra who have contributed immensely to the reconciliation between our two nations over the past 70 long years."
“Our bilateral relationship would not have been possible without the people and the government of Cowra."
- His Excellency Sumio Kusaka, Japanese Ambassador to Australia
Mr Kusaka also paid tribute to the committee for last year's 70th anniversary commemorations in particular for further strengthening relationships between Australia and Japan.
He presented them with a ceramic plate on behalf of the Japanese Embassy.
"This ceramic plate was hand crafted by Hiroe Swen, one of Australia's foremost ceramic artists who resides in Queanbeyan," Mr Kusaka said.
"In 1970, Hiroe Swen gave a lecture on pottery at the Cowra Technical College and one of those students attending the lecture was Catherine Bennett [who is here today].
"The young Ms Bennett went on to become an acclaimed ceramic artist herself whose work embodies as strong Japanese influence. Catherine Bennett's mother, Ms Barbara Bennett, who unfortunately passed away last year, was Cowra's first and so far only female mayor.
"The friendship between the Swen and Bennett families has grown and this ceramic plate symbolises the friendship and connection of Japan and Cowra on so many levels, including this personal one.
"It would be an honour if the committee would consider displaying this piece at Council chambers or Japanese Garden."
Cr West thanked the ambassador for the citation and gifts as well as the Breakout Association for their contributions.
"I echo your sentiments in regards to those people who instigated the maintaining of the war graves in particular so many years ago," Cr West said.
"It's important on this day in August that we acknowledge and recognise with respect and dignity the events in history in 1944. We don't need to make a commentary on it but we need to move forward in the spirit of the reconciliation."