Greeting by the president of the Festival

On behalf of the organizers, I would like to express our appreciation to those of you who are here today to start the World O-CHA(tea) Festival with the presence of Imperial Prince Hirohitto and Princess.
I deeply welcome all the scientists from foreign countries as well as Mr. and Mrs. Ambassador, Embassy officials, and the chairman of Chinese International Tea Culture Research League to participate in the World O-CHA Festival on behalf of Shizuoka prefecture, which has been taking a main role in organizing the festival.
World O-CHA(tea) Festival is the first overall event to promote the extensive exchanges among people who are related with tea and to prevail the excellence of tea with endless potential to the world.
It is most important we keep the relationship with many people beyond regions and countries and to hold the event continuously to lead to the great success.
Although we have limited time for four days, we have included suggestions and ideas everywhere to promote the production, to develop the distribution industry and to increase the demand of tea and have prepared various programs for further development of scientific studies and tea related industries. I hope all the participants will be able to give some thoughts for the future of tea.
 On September 4th, the World Green tea Association was established. It is a voluntary society organized by members who are representatives of tea related societies, administrative officials from tea producing areas as well as producers, distributors, and consumers.
Tea is a great asset that possesses ultimate potential and universal value. Shizuoka prefecture will support the World Green tea Association to inherit the operations and results of the World O-CHA Festival and to spread the various benefits of green tea with its spirit and culture.
In closing, I would like to ask the participants to further cooperate with us and hope the infinite prosperity of green tea.

Director of World O-CHA Festival, Governor of Shizuoka prefecture
Yoshinobu Ishikawa

THE EXECUTEIVE COMMITTEE OF WORLD O-CHA(TEA) FESTIVAL (O-CHA(tea) promotion Office, Shizuoka Prefectural Govermment) Shizuoka O-CHA Plaza, 14-1 Minamicho, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, 422-8067 Japan Tel:+81-54-221-3335 Fax:+81-54-221-1480 E-mail:wof@pref.shizuoka.lg.jp