Consul-General of Japan Meets with Their Honours Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario David C. Onley and Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley
On Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 3 pm, Consul-General Tetsuo Yamashita met with Their Honours Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario David C. Onley and Mrs. Ruth Ann Onley at His Honour’s office.
His Honour warmly greeted the Consul-General and at the same time expressed his sympathies for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. His Honour expressed regret that this meeting could not occur under better circumstances.
The Consul-General said that the final tally of casualties would “probably be beyond belief. We should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Massive rescue efforts have found thousands of survivors in the areas isolated in the sea of mud and debris. This is an apocalyptic and biblical catastrophe."
His Honour was aware that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan had made a televised address to the Japanese people.
The Consul-General said that His Majesty "made his statement today deeply worried about the situation at the nuclear power plants as well, hoping that the worst will be avoided through the selfless dedication of engineers on site."
The Consul-General added that, “His Majesty the Emperor also deeply appreciates massive rescue efforts extended by rapid deployment teams from every corner of the earth. Heads of State have sent him warm messages, expressing their solidarity with the victims of the calamity.”
His Honour said he fondly remembered Their Majesties’ visit to Toronto in the summer of 2009 as a happier time.
Consul-General Yamashita said, “The safety of Canadians in the vicinity is our concern. We have confirmed the safety of 161 young Ontarians, who are participating on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Unfortunately, Father Andre Lachapell from the Quebec Foreign Missions Society in Laval tragically lost his life in the gigantic tsunami.
“Half a million evacuees are without homes, without family and friends in shivering cold. It is a daunting task ahead of us. The destruction is apocalyptic, the number so ominous and the devastation so widespread. Yet, God's mercy and grace is stronger, deeper, and higher than the tremor and tsunami that has hit us.”
His Honour commented that the courage shown by the people of Japan in the face of such calamity has been quite remarkable. He said they have been conducting themselves with dignity.
The Consul-General agreed, “This enormous tragedy has brought out the best in us. With your warm compassion and support, the sun will rise again on us.”
His Honour said he appreciated how the Consul-General must have been extremely busy the past few days. He had wanted to contact the Consul-General sooner, but had refrained from doing so for this reason.
His Honour presented the Consul-General with a letter addressed to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
His Honour also commented that he would be attending the Sakura Ball at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on April 9, where renowned journalist and environmentalist David Suzuki would be honoured.
He said Their Honours both hope for a brighter day, and said they would like one day to visit Japan.
Media Release from the Office of The Lieutenant Governor
