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Ambassador Kaoru Ishikawa signs the guest registry at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC). |
New Japanese Ambassador to Canada Visits Toronto
Japan's new Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Kaoru Ishikawa, visited Toronto from Ottawa on Oct. 21 and 22, providing Torontonians their first opportunity to welcome him to his new posting. Ambassador Ishikawa was already familiar with the capital of Ontario, where his father, also a diplomat, served as Consul-General of Japan from December1966 to January 1969.
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Ambassador Ishikawa while visiting the JCCC stops by the Japan Information Centre's tatami room (left); JCCC Past President Martin Kobayashi explains the exhibit depicting the history of Japanese Canadians (right). |
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During his visit to Toronto, in addition to meeting with representatives of local media and business organizations, the Ambassador along with his wife, Masako Ishikawa, paid a visit to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on the evening of Oct. 21. There, he was welcomed at a reception in his honour by representatives of various Japan-related organizations as well as by members of the local community.
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Consul-General of Japan Tetsuo Yamashita proposes a toast for Ambassador Ishikawa and his wife (left); Ambassador Ishikawa brings his greetings to the community (right). |
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In his speech to the reception's attendants, the Ambassador recalled his audience just before leaving Japan with Their Majresties The Emperor and Empress of Japan, who had made a historic visit to Canada in July 2009. "Their Majesties repeatedly expressed their appreciation to the warm welcome extended by the Japanese Canadians and Japanese Nationals living in Toronto," he said. "Allow me to say that I will spare no effort to reinforce the friendship I have seen grow between Japan and Canada."
Consul-General of Japan in Toronto Testsuo Yamashtia later proposed a toast to welcome Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikawa. "The timing of the visit symbolizes the priority that is attached to the cities visited. By visiting Toronto less than a month after he presented the letter of credence from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan to the then Governor-General Michaëlle Jean, Ambassador Ishikawa clearly demonstrates the importance he attaches to the people, the culture, the media, the business, the financial sector and the universities here in Toronto, and in particular to our close friendship with the Japanese Canadians," he said.
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Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikawa at the Royal Ontario Museum with Tamae Umezawa and Consul-General Yamashita. |
The following day, Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikawa paid a special visit to the Royal Ontario Museum where they met with its new Director Janet Carding. The Ambassador and his wife were guided through the Prince Takamado Gallery. Among those in attendance were Consul-General Yamashita and Tamae Umezawa, whose family donated the Yamagami Collection of tea ceremony utensils to the museum.