The arrival reception of Ambassador Norihiro Okuda was held at the Ambassador’s residence on June 12, 2013, with around 260 guests attending including politicians, government officials, heads of diplomatic missions, academics, journalists, and representatives of cultural groups and of the Japanese community.
The reception was attended by distinguished guests including: Mr. Chris Alexander, M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defense, the Honourable Rob Merrifield, M.P., Chair of Standing Committee on International Trade, and the Honourable David Tkachuk, Senator and Co-Chair of Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group.
Ambassador Okuda, in his greeting, said Japan-Canada relations are robust not only on the economic front as exemplified by the negotiations toward an Economic Partnership Agreement, but in many other areas based on a mature, multi-dimensional partnership that has been shaped by shared values such as democracy, the protection of personal freedoms, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law. Ambassador Okuda expressed his will to further enhance this bilateral relationship.
*Ambassador Okuda’s speech
|
Ambassador and Mrs. Okuda greeting the Honourable Rob Merrifield, M.P., Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade |
Ambassador and Mrs. Okuda greeting the Honourable David Tkachuk, Senator and Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group |
