National Day Celebration Promotes Various Aspects of Japan
Taking part in a traditional sake barrel opening (kagamiwari), from left:
Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper; Vaughan Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco;
Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson: Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer;
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Bas Balkissoon;
Consul-General of Japan Yasunori Nakayama;
Toronto Councillor Chin Lee; and Oshawa Mayor John Henry.
On Nov. 27, Consul-General of Japan Yasunori Nakayama with his wife, Mrs. Chizuko Nakayama, hosted the National Day Reception at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre to celebrate the Dec. 23 birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. In attendance were: Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs David Zimmer; Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Bas Balkissoon; Mayor John Henry of Oshawa; and Toronto City Councillor Michael Thompson. Approximately 400 guests – made up of mayors, city councillors, business representatives, academics and researchers, artists and cultural figures as well as members of the Japanese Canadian community – gathered for the celebration. Celebrated soprano Takako Yanagida-Lordly sang the national anthems of Japan and Canada, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Concertmaster Etsuko Kimura performed on the violin while accompanied on the piano by her husband, Toronto University Associate Professor Willy Wong. VIP guests took part in a ceremonial sake barrel opening and guests afterwards enjoyed the sake tasting corner set up for the promotion of Japanese rice wine.
Materials from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) were distributed for the promotion of Japanese tourism. Posters from the JNTO were also on display, and its DVD introducing Japan was projected onto the large screen at the venue. Information was also available on the Japan External Trade Organization, the Japan Foundation and Kanagawa Prefecture’s Sagamihara City, which is in a sister-city agreement with the City of Toronto. In this way, widely varied aspects of Japan were presented to the guests.
Soprano Takako Yanagida-Lordly sing the national anthems of Japan and Canada.
Minister Zimmer extends greetings.
Mayor Henry conveys his good wishes.
Concillor Thompsons gives remarks.
Consul-General Nakayama reviews Japan-Canada relations in 2015.
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre President Gary Kawaguchi led the guests in a toast.
TSO Assistant Concertmaster Etsuko Kimura performs with her husband,
Dr. Willy Wong of the University of Toronto.
The guests enjoy the evening.
An Ikebana flower arrangement by
Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto East Branch
By the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Toronto
By the Ohara School of Ikebana Toronto Chapter
