The Visit to Toronto by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado (Aug. 25)
2019/10/11
On Aug. 25, Her Imperial Highness visited the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, welcomed by: the Conservatory’s Programming Manager, Mr. Max Rubino; Ms. Kelly Peterson, wife of the late Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson; and jazz pianist Mr. Makoto Ozone. After touring the Conservatory’s main concert hall, Her Imperial Highness met with music students and their parents. The children, as well as Mr. Ozone, performed their own compositions for the Princess who was delighted by the concert.
Her Imperial Highness with the music students who had performed for her along with Mr. Makoto Ozone.
She also visited the Ontario Legislative Building and met with Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. In the Lieutenant Governor’s office, they discussed various topics of mutual interest ranging from art to climate change. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness took part in a luncheon also attended by mayors and other representatives of Ontario communities who maintain exchange with various Japanese counterparts through sister-city and friendship agreements.
With Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and representatives of
Ontario communities involved in sister city and friendship exchanges with Japan.
In the afternoon, Her Imperial Highness visited the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC), which she had visited once before in 2004. She was welcomed by JCCC President Mr. Gary Kawaguchi and Mr. James Heron, its Executive Director. Guided by Mr. Kawaguchi and members of the Japanese Canadian community, she toured the Moriyama Heritage Centre and listened intently to the explanation of Japanese immigration to Canada from the 19th century to today. She also dropped in on Arigato Day, an event to recognize and thank the JCCC’s volunteers for their work. Her Imperial Highness was welcomed by the approximately 200 people in attendance. She thanked them for their volunteer work which strengthened friendship between japan and Canada, and expressed hope for their continued contributions to this end. Mr. Kawaguchi then stated the JCCC would like to present Her Imperial Highness with its Sakura Award for her many years of work contributing toward Japan-Canada friendship. The Sakura Award is presented once a year in recognition of exceptional contributions made by individuals to the promotion and exchange of Japanese culture and enhancing awareness of Nikkei heritage within Canada and abroad. Her Imperial Highness graciously received the award from Mr. Kawaguchi amidst applause from everyone present.
Her Imperial Highness tours the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Moriyama Nikkei Heritage Centre
Her Imperial Highness received the Sakura Award.
That evening, Her Imperial Highness attended a dinner reception at the official residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto with alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and of the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship programs. After welcoming remarks by Consul-General Takako Ito, Her Imperial Highness encouraged the alumni to continue working as a bridge between Japan and Canada. This was followed by remarks and a toast by Ms. Jennifer French, a JET alumnus who is now the Province of Ontario’s Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Legislature. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness spoke to each of the guests about their experiences in Japan, and said she looked forward to their future activities.
Her Imperial Highness addresses the reception guests who work to bridge Japan with Canada.
A toast by Ms. Jennifer French, a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme alumnus and the Province of
Ontario’s Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.
Her Imperial Highness with the alumni of the JET Programme and the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship programs.
Her Imperial Highness departed for Ottawa on Aug. 26.
Her Imperial Highness with the music students who had performed for her along with Mr. Makoto Ozone.
She also visited the Ontario Legislative Building and met with Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. In the Lieutenant Governor’s office, they discussed various topics of mutual interest ranging from art to climate change. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness took part in a luncheon also attended by mayors and other representatives of Ontario communities who maintain exchange with various Japanese counterparts through sister-city and friendship agreements.
With Her Honour the Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and representatives of
Ontario communities involved in sister city and friendship exchanges with Japan.
In the afternoon, Her Imperial Highness visited the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC), which she had visited once before in 2004. She was welcomed by JCCC President Mr. Gary Kawaguchi and Mr. James Heron, its Executive Director. Guided by Mr. Kawaguchi and members of the Japanese Canadian community, she toured the Moriyama Heritage Centre and listened intently to the explanation of Japanese immigration to Canada from the 19th century to today. She also dropped in on Arigato Day, an event to recognize and thank the JCCC’s volunteers for their work. Her Imperial Highness was welcomed by the approximately 200 people in attendance. She thanked them for their volunteer work which strengthened friendship between japan and Canada, and expressed hope for their continued contributions to this end. Mr. Kawaguchi then stated the JCCC would like to present Her Imperial Highness with its Sakura Award for her many years of work contributing toward Japan-Canada friendship. The Sakura Award is presented once a year in recognition of exceptional contributions made by individuals to the promotion and exchange of Japanese culture and enhancing awareness of Nikkei heritage within Canada and abroad. Her Imperial Highness graciously received the award from Mr. Kawaguchi amidst applause from everyone present.
Her Imperial Highness tours the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Moriyama Nikkei Heritage Centre
Her Imperial Highness received the Sakura Award.
That evening, Her Imperial Highness attended a dinner reception at the official residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto with alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme and of the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship programs. After welcoming remarks by Consul-General Takako Ito, Her Imperial Highness encouraged the alumni to continue working as a bridge between Japan and Canada. This was followed by remarks and a toast by Ms. Jennifer French, a JET alumnus who is now the Province of Ontario’s Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House and Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Legislature. Afterwards, Her Imperial Highness spoke to each of the guests about their experiences in Japan, and said she looked forward to their future activities.
Her Imperial Highness addresses the reception guests who work to bridge Japan with Canada.
A toast by Ms. Jennifer French, a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme alumnus and the Province of
Ontario’s Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.
Her Imperial Highness with the alumni of the JET Programme and the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship programs.
Her Imperial Highness departed for Ottawa on Aug. 26.