Japan’s consulate in Hong Kong marks emperor’s birthday, but city officials absent

Japan’s representative to Hong Kong has said his consulate is making “steady progress” in improving ties with the city, while noting the absence of top local officials at a celebration of the emperor’s birthday amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.Jun Miura, the country’s consul general to the city, on Thursday expressed his thanks for the friendship between Japan and Hong Kong at an event marking the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito.“While we do not have a guest of honour per se, I consider you all to be our guests of honour,” the envoy said in a speech.Last year’s reception was attended by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun, who at the time praised Miura for his fluent English and celebrity-like looks.Former leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was also spotted among last year’s attendees.The guests of honour for the events in 2024 and 2023 were Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok, respectively.