A gathering to celebrate Haiku poetry took place in Queensland on June 6, further cementing cultural relations between that state and Japan. The event, hosted by Queensland Minister for the Arts Matt Foley and attended by Japan’s Consul-General to Queensland, Takenori Yamazaki, was held to coincide with Queensland Day. Mr Foley, noted in a media release, that the event assisted in the development of a deeper understanding of the respective societies, through the sharing and exploration of cultures; highlighting Queensland's eagerness to embrace opportunities that further the understanding and appreciation of arts and cultures. The winner of the annual Japan Airlines World Children’s Haiku Contest, was Gold Coast school-girl Jessica Kale, who beat out entries from more than 20 countries to win the event.