Flag Raising Ceremony at Queen’s Park Celebrates 90th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Diplomatic Relations

On July 20, for approximately 30 minutes from 10 am, the Consulate-General of Japan held a flag raising ceremony in front of the Ontario Legislative Building at Queen’s Park in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations. Attending the ceremony were approximately 100 guests comprised of local Japanese nationals, as well as representatives of the Japanese Canadian community, the Ontario legislature and government, Japanese government organizations and the consular corps. Following the opening remarks by Consul-General Ito, the raising of the Japanese flag and the playing of the national anthems of Japan and Canada, congratulatory remarks were given by Member of Provincial Parliament Robin Martin, who, representing the governing Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, also read a message from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Remarks were also given by MPP Sol Mamakwa, who represented the Ontario New Democratic Party, MPP Mitzie Hunter representing the Ontario Liberal Party and Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre President Gary Kawaguchi. This was the first time in at least 30years that the Japanese flag was raised at Queen’s Park was raised at Queen’s Park.