From June 25 to 28, Ambassador Okuda conducted an official visit to the province of Ontario, visiting Toronto, the capital of the province, as his first official visit to a province after his arrival in Canada. He held talks with the Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario; and Mr. Bas Balkissoon, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. He also exchanged views with the President of the University of Toronto.
Ambassador Okuda visited Japanese enterprises in Guelph and Cambridge and spoke with the President of University of Waterloo. He also visited Momiji Seniors Centre, a retirement home for Japanese Canadians.
In this series of meetings, Ambassador Okuda said that many Japanese enterprises have advanced in Ontario (a province which accounts for 40% of Canadian GDP) and therefore the strengthening of economic relations between Ontario and Japan continues to be extremely important. There were also opinions expressed from Ontario side wishing for the further strengthening of this relationship.
Ambassador Okuda met with Japanese Canadians and people from Japan-related groups and he was impressed with the Japanese community’s efforts in introducing Japanese culture in Canada; their encouragement of the understanding of Japan through cultural activities and charity campaigns; and the fact that their activities are honoured as an exemplar for other ethnic groups.
The ambassador had individual meetings with the President of the University of Toronto, Dr. David Naylor; and with Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, the President of the University of Waterloo. They agreed with the importance of further research cooperation and students exchanges between Japan and Canada.
Throughout this official visit, the importance of strengthening Japan’s economic relationship with the Province of Ontario, which plays a central role in the Canadian economy, has been reaffirmed in relations with Japanese enterprises as well as in relations with representatives of Canadian business circles. In addition to economic relations, it has been recognized that the continuous promotion of research cooperation and student exchanges between Japan and Canada will contribute to the future of this bilateral relationship.
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