Even though it's not quite yet his birthday, the celebrations have already started for the Japanese emperor; at least in Jamaica.

Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata hosted a reception on Wednesday evening to celebrate the 75th birthday of His Imperial Majesty Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan. The emperor's birthday is not until December 23, but that was no deterrent to the festivities. Ambassador Obata took the time to point out the highlights of diplomatic agreement between both countries. He praised the Jamaicans who constantly travel to his country, and even threw in some patois in 'bigging up' the Jamaican resilience and athletic prowess.

Guests out included: Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin and wife Olga, Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino, Colombian Ambassador Dr Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia, Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice, Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell, Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover, European Union delegation head, Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela, Haitian Charge d'affaires Max Alce, Nigerian High Commissioner Peter Oyedele, Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro, Dr Karen Hilliard, Madai Hernandez and Marcelo Munoz, Tomofumi Fukuda, Jevene Bent, Nicole Hoo-Fatt, Arnold and Patricia Foote, Gloria Palomino, Hugh and Ouida Dunphy, Richard and Diana Stewart, Rose and Ed Wehrli, Robert MacMillan and Candy DePass, Teddy McCook, Scarlette Gillings, Marcia Forbes, Dr Ernest Pate, Pat Walters, Christopher Duggan, Guillermo Hernandez, Igor Hevia, Athelstan Bellamy and wife Colleen, Damian Obiglio, Tony and Yvonne Ray, Dr Omar Davies, Dr Wesley Hughes, Alvaro Casserly, Shorna-Kay Richards, Pauline and Loxley Lindo and Gillian Rowlands.

FROM LEFT:

(1) Pearl Wright (left) is always welcome whenever Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and wife Hiroko are throwing a reception.
(2) Yukari Kinoshita (left) and Eriko Fujiwara are caught up in some serious talk as they were out to celebrate the birthday of the Japanese emperor.