Event report

Event report of the Opening Ceremony – Opening Ceremony of BONJOUR FRANCE 2025’s 10th Anniversary

17 April 2025

We are pleased to share with you the highlights of the Opening Ceremony of the 10th Anniversary of BONJOUR FRANCE 2025.

On April 4th, a limited number of 400 guests — including participants, invitees, sponsors, partners, members of the press, and VIPs — gathered at the Residence of the French Ambassador to Japan for the Opening Ceremony celebrating the 10th Anniversary of BONJOUR FRANCE 2025.

The ceremony began in grand fashion with the arrival of several distinguished guests:

- Ms. Christel TAKIGAWA, TV presenter, Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters and the National Order of Merit for her contributions to Franco-Japanese relations.

- Ms. Saila KUNIKIDA, a Japanese-Italian creative director, model, and executive producer with a multicultural background between Paris, Tokyo, and Berlin.

- Mr. Bebechan, a well-known YouTuber in Japan, whose channel "Bebechan – Français au Japon" has over 783k subscribers.

- Mr. Florent DABADIE, interpreter and sports news presenter.

- Mr. Yoshihiro HAMAGUCHI, General Merchandise Manager at AEON RETAIL Co., Ltd.

They were joined by H.E. Mr. Philippe SETTON, French Ambassador in Japan, and Mr. Jérôme CHOUCHAN, President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (CCI France Japon), who each delivered a speech before proceeding with a symbolic ribbon-cutting to mark BONJOUR FRANCE’s 10th anniversary.

Following this solemn moment, the choir “Les Alouettes” gave a singing performance. The stage of the French Ambassador’s Residence then welcomed Mr. Philippe TROUSSIER, former football coach and former manager of the Japanese national team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Next, the Confrérie du Sabre d’Or performed a champagne sabering ceremony, followed by a toast led by Mr. Bernard Delmas, board member of the CCI France Japon. The ceremony concluded with a presentation of the event's main sponsors, Nissan Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation, introduced by Mayu HANDA, director of BONJOUR FRANCE.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed various aspects of French culture — from gastronomy to everyday lifestyle — including a special car exhibition by Nissan Motor Corporation. Several highlights marked the night, such as live cooking demonstrations by chefs Philippe BATTON and Bernard ANQUETIL. Musical performances by Mr. Philippe MARCHAND, pianist and singer, accompanied by Ms. Yukari, also graced this exceptional evening.

The event was a great success with our guests and partners, heralding a vibrant year full of events for BONJOUR FRANCE and beyond. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the French Embassy in Japan for its sponsorship, and our deep gratitude to Nissan Motor Corporation and all our sponsors and partners for their valuable support.

Photos : Life 14

Sponsors :

- Toyota Tsusho Corporation

- Vins Alsace (CIVA)

- Champagne COLLET

- Super Collection

- Bleu d’Argens en Provence

- Maison Brémond 1830 : Platanus Inc.

- Cécile et Jeanne : Carpe Diem Inc.

- Cluizel Paris

- De Buyer : Peugeot Mill

- Pierre Zéro, Distillerie de Paris : Mottox Co., Ltd.　

- Elle

- Ile de France : Savencia Fromage & Dairy Japon K.K.

- Jacadi Paris

- Janat paris

- LAO Care

- Caves Legrand : Legrand Japon Ltd.

- Les Toiles du Soleil France

- Péché Mignon : Hakodate snaffle’s Pastry: Reda

- Perrier & Vittel

Partners :

- Ambassade de France au Japon

- Air France

- Airstar

- Confrérie du Sabre d’Or

- Gaspard et Lisa

- Institut Français

- Just Nils

- La boîte

- Le petit tonneau

- Lettuce Club

- Life14

- Me-Fie

- My Little Box Paris

- Proglé