Embassy of Japan in Canada

Ambassador Ishikawa’s Official Visit to British Columbia

Ambassador Ishikawa conducted an official visit to British Columbia from December 8 to 11.  During his trip, he visited Victoria and Vancouver and made courtesy calls to various dignitaries including the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, the Honourable Steven Point; the Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat; the Honourable Colin Hansen, Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier; the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Natural Resource Operations and Minister of Energy; the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Building Code Renewal; Rear-Admiral Nigel Greenwood, Commander, Joint Task Force Pacific and Commander, Maritime Force Pacific; Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin; and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

During his meetings with these distinguished government leaders, Ambassador Ishikawa remarked that not only are the province of British Columbia and Japan geographically and psychologically close to one another, but they are also partners and mature, functioning democracies who share many values, such as freedom of speech, the rule of law, and legal predictability.  He stressed the significance of reaffirming good relations between the two, which tend to be taken for granted.  British Columbia government officials also recognized the importance of the province’s relationship with Japan.  They also expressed their great appreciation for the monumental visit to Canada of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress of Japan last year.

On December 10, Ambassador Ishikawa participated in the CBC radio programs “Phare Quest” and “The Early Edition,” as well as an interview with the Vancouver Sun which appeared in the December 14 edition. 

Ambassador Ishikawa also visited Nikkei Place and the Vancouver Japanese Language School, and he met with both Japanese Canadians and Japanese nationals who are assigned to British Columbia from Japanese companies.

Ambassador Ishikawa honoured members of the Japanese-Canadian community in recognition of the enormous efforts that they had made in the past and continue to make to this day.

During his visit to the University of British Columbia, he exchanged views with Dr. John W. Hepburn, Vice President Research & International, the University of British Columbia, about the importance of academic exchange and cooperation with Japanese universities.

Finally, Ambassador Ishikawa described British Columbia as not simply the province facing the Pacific Ocean, but as one that is full of possibilities and shares historically deep relations with Japan. He believes British Columbia will be the province that will create a new chapter in the relations between the two nations.