Quandary over Japan’s National Day

The reception for Japan’s National Day has been popular every year for Japanese people and their friends in Thailand. Last year in Bangkok, the celebration of the emperor’s birthday, which is the national day, drew 1,100 attendees, even amid the threat of Covid-19.

This year, tomorrow’s celebration in Bangkok is still undecided, according to Japan’s ambassador to Thailand Kazuya Nashida.

“At that time [February last year] Covid-19 was spreading,” Mr Nashida said. “I was in a difficult position to make a decision as to whether I should host the reception or not. But my decision was to go for it.

“Maybe it was the last chance because, since then, no embassy had had such a huge reception. But this year, under these circumstances, I cannot host it. My last chance may be in March,” he said adding that if the situation improves, a celebration may take place with a…