National Day 2018 Celebrates the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

2018/12/13

A ceremonial opening of sake barrels was held at the National Day reception.
From left: Mr. Mike Wallace, Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Burlington;　Mr. David Warner, Former Speaker of Legislative Assembly of Ontario;
Ms. Camila Gonzalez, Miss Visit Japan Tourism Ambassador; Mr. Godwin Chan, Councillor, Town of Richmond Hill; Mr. John Henry, Chair, Durham Regional Council;

Ms. Jennifer K. French, Deputy Speaker of the Ontario Legislature; Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito;
Mr. Hisashi Hirota, Vice-President, Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce & Industry; Mr. Gary Kawaguchi, President, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre;

Mr. Terence Kernaghan, MPP; Mr. Norm Miller, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs;

Mr. Denzil Minnan-Wong, Deputy Mayor and City Councillor; City of Toronto; His Worship Trevor Birtch, Mayor, City of Woodstock.

On Dec. 10, Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito hosted the National Day reception at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) in celebration of the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. Over 450 guests were in attendance, consisting of Ontario’s parliamentarians, mayors, city councilors, as well as representatives from the business, academic, culture and Japanese Canadian communities. A performance by the JCCC’s own taiko drum ensemble, Kyowa Taiko, was followed by opening remarks from the Consul-General. Her remarks looked back upon the various events from this year which celebrated the 90th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations. She also said that, although Japan suffered a number of natural disasters this year, the country was nonetheless more than ready to welcome visitors from abroad and that she hoped everyone in attendance would pay a visit. She also touched upon the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to be in effect very soon, as well as the G20 Summit and the Rugby World Cup to take place in Japan next year. She expressed her hope for further strengthening of Japan-Canada relations, and unveiled the new logo for the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations which will be used next year to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the Canadian legation in Japan.

Afterwards, Mr. Norman Miller, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, made remarks expressing his wish for further development of Japan-Ontario relations in business and other fields. Ms. Jennifer French, MPP and Deputy Speaker of the Legislature, led the guests in a toast. Ms. French, a former participant of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme who was posted in Saitama Prefecture, made her remarks in Japanese, receiving tremendous applause from the attendants. 　

Food prepared by member restaurants of the Japanese Restaurant Association of Canada was served along with Japanese whiskey and sake from disaster-affected areas.

Consul-General Ito gives remarks.

Congratulatory remarks is given by Mr. Miller.

Ms. French leads the guests in a toast.

A performance by Kyowa Taiko

Tempura served as finger food

Promoting rice from Japan.

Guests enjoy the various Japanese food.

Oranges from Ehime Prefecture were handed out to the guests.

Serving Japanese whiskey and sake from the disaster-affected areas.

Information booths by businesses and regional governments.

Works of ikebana from various schools decorate the venue (from left: Sogetsu, Ikenobo and Ohara).

As Miss International Canada and Visit Japan Tourism Ambassador, Ms. Gonzales promotes Japan.

Guests filled the hall.