The Visit to Toronto by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado (Aug. 24)
2019/10/11
At the Gala Dinner Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations at the
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). (From left: The Hon. Victor Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic
Development, Job Creation and Trade; Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor
of Ontario; Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado; The Hon. Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Small Business
and Export Promotion; His Excellency Kimihiro Ishikane, Ambassador of Japan to Canada.)
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado was in Canada from Aug. 23 to Sept. 1 to attend various events celebrating the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations. She visited various regions in Canada, warmly welcomed by both notable persons active in a wide variety of fields as well as grassroots Canadians. This was the 10th time Her Imperial Highness visited Canada.
She arrived in Toronto on Aug. 23, and visited the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) the following day. Welcomed by the ROM’s Director and CEO, Mr. Josh Basseches, she toured the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan for the second time since it opened in January 2007. Dr. Rosina Buckland, the Museum’s Bishop White Committee Curator of Japanese Art & Culture, guided the tour and also gave an overview of future policies on exhibits. Her Imperial Highness showed great interest in the netsuke fasteners and inro lacquer cases especially chosen for display by Dr. Buckland, listening intently to the explanations and asking questions.
At the ROM. (From left: Dr. Rosina Buckland, ROM’s Bishop White Committee Curator of Japanese
Art & Culture; Her Imperial Highness; ROM Director and CEO, Mr. Josh Basseches.)
Touring the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan with Dr. Buckland.
Her Imperial Highness also visited the office of The Japan Foundation, Toronto, touring its facilities with its Executive Director, Ms. Yuko Shimizu. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness gave a reading in English from the book Lulie the Iceberg, which she authored, to a group of about 15 children. She answered their questions afterwards, explaining that one of the reasons why she wrote the story was the inspiration she received from the timeless splendor of nature in Canada when she visited Nunavut. Her Imperial Highness enjoyed her amiable time speaking with Canadian children.
Her Imperial Highness gives a reading in English from her book Lulie the Iceberg.
Her Imperial Highness also visited Mississauga City Hall, welcomed by Her Worship Mayor Bonnie Crombie, whom she had met two years earlier. Here, the Princess attended a luncheon reception attended by: Ms. Hazel McCallion, who served as Mississauga’s Mayor for 36 years until 2014; City Councillors who had close ties with Japan; approximately 35 representatives from Japanese businesses headquartered in the City; and others. Her Imperial Highness spent a fruitful time discussing various topics with the guests in attendance.
At the luncheon hosted by Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga.
Her Imperial Highness enjoys conversing with other guests.
After 1 pm, Her Imperial Highness took part in the opening ceremonies of Japan Festival CANADA, taking place in Celebration Square adjacent to Mississauga City Hall. In his video message, the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, welcomed Her Imperial Highness and extended congratulations on the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations. This was followed by congratulatory remarks by Mayor Crombie and His Excellency Kimihiro Ishikane, Ambassador of Japan to Canada. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness spoke to the crowd of about 3,000, extended her own congratulations on the 90th anniversary and expressed hope for further strengthening of Japan-Canada relations in the future. Remarks were also given by Ms. Nina Tangri, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (Economic Development), as well as by Ms. McCallion.
Her Imperial Highness gives remarks at Japan Festival CANADA.
At the opening ceremony of Japan Festival CANADA
In the evening, Her Imperial Highness attended the Gala Dinner Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations at the ROM. The dinner was attended by approximately 330 guests, and began with remarks by the Hon. Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, and Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. After being introduced by Ambassador Ishikane, Her Imperial Highness spoke on her family’s close ties with Canada, which began with His Imperial Highness the late Prince Tamakado’s period of study at Queen’s University. She also expressed her hope that Japan-Canada relations will continue to be full of goodwill, receiving a standing ovation from the guests. A jazz performance by Mr. Makoto Ozone and Ms. Dione Taylor followed, as well as the presentation of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, by Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito to Mr. Ben Ciprietti, the President of the Japan Society.
Her Imperial Highness gives a speech at the Gala Dinner Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Canada-Japan Diplomatic Relations.
The guests respond with a standing ovation.