Message of Hope Conveyed at National Day Reception
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan turns 78 years old on Dec. 23, and the annual National Day reception marked the occasion this year at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Kobayashi Hall on Dec. 6.
Consul-General Eiji Yamamoto gives his remarks.
In attendance were: Monte Kwinter, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development and Innovation; Bryon Wilfert, former Member of Parliament and former Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group; Mayor of Woodstock Pat Sobeski; Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Chris Lewis; Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre President Gary Kawaguchi as well as other dignitaries including consuls-general from various countries and representatives from the local artistic, cultural, academic, Japanese Canadian and Japanese business communities. Around 250 guests attended the celebration to wish for His Majesty’s continued good health.
Monte Kwinter, Parliamentary Assistant to theMinister of Economic Development and Innovation, conveys greetings.
In his speech, Consul-General of Japan Eiji Yamamoto expressed his appreciation for the support and generosity shown by the Government and citizens of Canada immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake. At the same time, he stressed Japan was well on its way to recovery. On the large screen off to one side of the Kobayashi Hall, images of Their Majesties at the Imperial Palace as well as a DVD showing attractions in the northeaster regions of Japan were screened.
Chef Takeshi Sato from the Consul-General'sofficial residence demonstrated soba making.
Servers poured two brands of sake for tasting: Oku no Matsu of Fukushima prefecture and Nambu Bijin of Iwate prefecture. Fresh soba noodles were made on the spot with yams from Aomori prefecture and Canadian buckwheat, and various Japanese businesses were able to display their wares just outside the reception hall. The evening ended with positive comments by attendants.
