On 23 July 2017 Deputy Consul-General Chanida Kamalanavin attendedand delivered the congratulatory remarks at the 45th Japan Nationwide Kimono Dressing Contest of Nihon Wasou Gakuen held at Kobe Portopia Hotel in Kobe. The Deputy Consul-General also attendedand delivered her opening remarks at the dinner reception of the 45thJapan Nationwide Kimono Dressing Contest of Nihon WasouGakuenon 22July 2017. About 500 guests attended the event including Mr.Toshiro Tamada, Vice Mayor of Kobe, representatives of Hyogo Prefectural Assembly and Kobe City Assembly and members of Nihon WasouGakuen from all over Japan. 
The Deputy Consul-General commended Madam Hiroko Matsushima, President of Nihon Wasou Gakuen, on her dedication to the preservation of ancient and authentic Japanese cultural heritage of kimono as well as organizing activities to strengthen Thailand-Japan friendship for decades.
This year’s event is an activity to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Port of Kobe and 130Anniversary of Thailand-Japan Diplomatic Relations. The event was an opportunity for Thailand-Japan cultural exchange as a group of Thai youths was invited to perform Thai traditional dances during the opening ceremony of the event. The organization of the event received generous supportfrom Mr. SomchaiPahulrat, President of Thai-Japanese Association (Kimono) and Ms. Bhusdee Navavichit.