Consul-General Witnesses University of Toronto's Support of Earthquake Victims
On March 29, Consul-General Tetsuo Yamashita visited the University of Toronto where he witnessed heartwarming activities in support of the victims of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake. He first took part, along with Dean of Arts and Science Meric Gertler (left photo below, standing right) and Associate Dean, Interdisciplinary and International Affairs, Ito Peng (standing left), in origami crane-folding in Sidney Smith Hall (centre photo). The table was being manned by student volunteers Betty Xie (right photo; seated right) and Samaiya Ahmed (seated left). This was one of many coordinated crane-folding projects taking place around campus.
Later, Mr. Yamashita participated in folding more cranes at the U of T's Multi-Faith Centre (centre photo below), where he was pleasantly surprised to meet a former participant of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, Day Milman (left photo), who had been posted in Nagoya, Mr. Yamashita's place of birth. Also at the Multi-Faith Centre, Mr. Yamashita, with University President David Naylor (right photo, seated right) attended A Public Observance In Solidarity with the People of Japan and the Pacific Region.
Organized by the office of Vice-Provost, Students, Jill Matus (left photo below), the observance was an opportunity for the university's community to reflect on the earthquake and its effect on its victims. Speaking also were Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity, Angela Hilyard (centre photo) and Father Gene Morishita-Miki of the Campus Chaplains Association (right photo).
Literature and music enhanced the ceremony, as poetry were read by student Yumi Tsuchida (left photo below) and Professor of East Asian Studies Ikuko Komuro-Lee (centre photo). The Ton Beau Quartet from the Faculty of Music performed a moving rendition of the traditional song "Sakura" (right photo).
"I am deeply touched by your enormous compassion in expressing your solidarity with so many people in distress in Japan and the Pacific Rim, who are now in need of assistance and moral support," said Consul-General Yamashita in his remarks.
A video of the obeservance's proceedings can be viewed here.
Related: Asia-Pacific Club students make one thousand cranes for Japan (U of T's Faculty of Arts and Science Website) ; 1,000 Cranes for Japan (U of T's eBulletin)
