Educator and Philanthropist Keiko Belair Is Conferred The Foreign Minister's Commendation
From left: Consul General Eiji Yamamoto; Mrs. Keiko Belair;
Principal of Renison University College Glenn F. Cartwright;
Former Principal Gail Cuthbert Brandt; Ms. Miya Belair; and Mrs. Yoshiko Yamamoto.
The Consulate General of Japan on Sept. 19 hosted a conferment ceremony for the Foreign Minister’s Commendation of Mrs. Keiko Belair, the Honorary Chair and Special Advisor to the Sakura Japanese Language School at the Unviersity of Waterloo’s Renison Universitty College. The ceremony was held at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Mr. Eiji Yamamoto.
The Foreign Minster’s Commendations are awarded to those who have been exceptionally active in various fields in fostering friendships between Japan and other countries. By recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of such individuals and organizations, it is also intended to encourage support for their future activities from among the general public. Across the world, 97 individuals and 31 organizations were awarded the commendation, and Mrs. Belair was chosen as the recipient for Ontario.
She has worked for many years at Renison University College as an instructor of Japanese, and developed the business Japanese language program against the backdrop of the increased presence of Japanese companies locally.
Through such activities, she began to realize that Canadians who were interested in Japan did not necessarily possess a lot of knowledge about the country. She therefore established the East Asian Festival at Renison University College (then known as Renison College) in 1993, which focused on the cultures of Japan, China and Korea, and thereby promoted the understanding of Japanese culture among Canadians.
Because of the increase in local Japanese businesses, as well as in international marriages, there has been an increase also in the number of Japanese Canadian children in the area. Noting the absence of language education facilities for these children, Mrs. Belair established the Sakura Japanese Language School at Renison University College in 2011. These and other activities by Mrs. Belair have been invaluable in promoting Japanese culture and language in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
The proceedings of the ceremony.
The commendation from Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs was conferred to Mrs. Balair by Consul General Yamamoto.
In response Mrs. Belair expressed surprised at receiving such a commendation, and her hope that she will live up to its expectations. She also expressed her appreciation for the faculty at Renison University College who constantly devoted their efforts toward the benefit of students. She truly felt they were the best in the world. She also credited the staff at Renison University College, starting with the principal, who allowed her to make use of their facilities.
She thought the Sakura Japanese Language School might be the first language school aimed at children of Japanese decent which was affiliated with a university. She said she was grateful to be able to teach her student in such a positive environment.
Attending the ceremony were about 60 guests comprised of Renison University College staff and local Japanese language educators who conveyed their congratulations to Mrs. Belair.
