National Day Reception Celebrates the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2026/3/12
On Friday, February 20, the Consulate-General of Japan hosted a reception to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor's 66th birthday with approximately 420 guests in attendance. In addition to the speech by Consul-General Matsunaga, remarks were also given by the Honourable Dr. Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Member of Parliament); the Honourable Donna Skelly, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; the Honourable Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business of Ontario; and the Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario (video message). The Honourable Dr. Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario, led the attendants in a toast, and congratulatory messages from the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto, were read aloud.
The reception featured a Japanese drum performance by Kyowa Taiko; a performance on the koto by Ms. Fujii Aiko; and the singing of the national anthem of Japan by Ms. Yasufuku Chihiro and that of Canada by Mr. Mathias Séror. The occasion also promoted the International Horticultural Expo in Yokohama (GREENxEXPO 2027) with works of ikebana and bonsai on display by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Toronto; the Toronto Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana; Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto Branch; Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto East Branch; and the Toronto Bonsai Society. An ikebana demonstration was also held by Ikebana International Toronto Chapter President Trish Chan. The high-quality Japanese food enjoyed by the guests included various dishes which used Kamada soy sauce from Kagawa Prefecture, as well as Ishimaru udon noodles from the same region. Booths established by the Toronto Prefectural Associations and Federations, as well as by the corporations UNIQLO and Deloitte Canada , also attracted the guests’ attention.
The reception featured a Japanese drum performance by Kyowa Taiko; a performance on the koto by Ms. Fujii Aiko; and the singing of the national anthem of Japan by Ms. Yasufuku Chihiro and that of Canada by Mr. Mathias Séror. The occasion also promoted the International Horticultural Expo in Yokohama (GREENxEXPO 2027) with works of ikebana and bonsai on display by the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Toronto; the Toronto Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana; Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto Branch; Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto East Branch; and the Toronto Bonsai Society. An ikebana demonstration was also held by Ikebana International Toronto Chapter President Trish Chan. The high-quality Japanese food enjoyed by the guests included various dishes which used Kamada soy sauce from Kagawa Prefecture, as well as Ishimaru udon noodles from the same region. Booths established by the Toronto Prefectural Associations and Federations, as well as by the corporations UNIQLO and Deloitte Canada , also attracted the guests’ attention.
