The Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne, Tokuro Furuya, was the guest of Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull last week.

The primary purpose of the visit on Thursday was to view a unique Japanese WWII flag, followed by a visit to Patties Foods which is producing an increasing amount of product being exported to Japan from the Bairnsdale plant.

Mr Bull explained the flag belongs to Con Bell (pictured in the main photo) and was the property of his father, also Con.

“I mentioned the flag to the Consul-General (CG) when we were seated next to each other at a Shrine service, just a fortnight after Con had showed the flag to me.

“It was from that conversation, and his interest, the visit eventuated, and I worked with both Con and Allan Pappin, president of the Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch, to make it happen.

“The CG was able to read enough on the flag to advise it has both names of Japanese soldiers and messages of good luck. After its capture by the Australian 2/7th Australian commandos, they added their signatures in the Rising Sun.

“This almost certainly occurred in either the Salamaua-Lae or Aitape-Wewak campaigns in northern New Guinea,” said Mr Bull.

The CG explained the Japanese would never have written in the Rising Sun component of the flag as that was considered disrespectful in the homeland, which left room for the Australians to place their signatures.

On the visit to Patties Foods, the CG was able to sample some of the very product that is going to Japan - in its Japanese packaging.

“On his departure, I was able to present the CG with some amazing Gippsland products. I extend a big thanks to Allan Pappin and the Bairnsdale RSL Sub-Branch and Patties Foods for the hospitality shown to the CG.”

Caption: The Nationals’ State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, was pleased to welcome Japanese Consul-General, Tokuro Furuya, to Bairnsdale.

Monday, 12 May 2025