Reception commemorating the 95th Anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations and the Anniversary of the establishment of Japan Self-Defense Forces
2023/9/19
On September 19, 2023, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi hosted a reception to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada and the 69th anniversary of the establishment of the Japanese Self Defense Forces.
The reception was attended by the Hon. Anthony Rota, the Speaker of the House of Commons; the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Hon. Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health; Ms. Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency; Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defense Staff; the Hon. Stan Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group; Mr. Terry Sheehan, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group; and His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. Some 450 people attended the reception, including from Canada’s federal government, parliament and judiciary, heads of diplomatic missions, Canada’s former ambassadors to Japan, military attaches, and academic, cultural, and business representatives.
The reception opened with the Canadian and then Japanese national anthems played jointly by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band, travelling from Tokyo for this specific occasion, and the Canadian Forces Central Band.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi reflected on the 95-year history of Japan-Canada relations.
Despite difficulties in the past, Japan and Canada now enjoy a robust, friendly relations that are growing ever closer and deeper. The Ambassador introduced the Japanese Defense Attaché, who arrived to take up his post in 2022, and welcomed the first ever JSDF anniversary reception to be held in Canada.
Following the guest of honor’s address by Speaker Rota, Minister MacAulay, Minister Wilkinson, Lieutenant-General Allen, Senator Kutcher and Mr. Sheehan presented their remarks. Remarks were concluded with the Kagami-Biraki by the Ambassador and these guests. Ms. Melisa Miharu Kamibayashi, President of Ottawa Japanese Community Association, proposed a toast.
At the venue, Japanese food culture was showcased, including nigiri-zushi, chirashi-zushi and sake, and the Ambassador’s chef, Mr. Yasuhiro Shima, demonstrated the making of nigiri-zushi.
The joint band of Self-Defense Forces and Canadian Armed Forces presented performances of famous Canadian and Japanese songs, accompanied by Ambassador Yamanouchi on piano.
The reception was attended by the Hon. Anthony Rota, the Speaker of the House of Commons; the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Hon. Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health; Ms. Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency; Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defense Staff; the Hon. Stan Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group; Mr. Terry Sheehan, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group; and His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. Some 450 people attended the reception, including from Canada’s federal government, parliament and judiciary, heads of diplomatic missions, Canada’s former ambassadors to Japan, military attaches, and academic, cultural, and business representatives.
The reception opened with the Canadian and then Japanese national anthems played jointly by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Central Band, travelling from Tokyo for this specific occasion, and the Canadian Forces Central Band.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi reflected on the 95-year history of Japan-Canada relations.
Despite difficulties in the past, Japan and Canada now enjoy a robust, friendly relations that are growing ever closer and deeper. The Ambassador introduced the Japanese Defense Attaché, who arrived to take up his post in 2022, and welcomed the first ever JSDF anniversary reception to be held in Canada.
Following the guest of honor’s address by Speaker Rota, Minister MacAulay, Minister Wilkinson, Lieutenant-General Allen, Senator Kutcher and Mr. Sheehan presented their remarks. Remarks were concluded with the Kagami-Biraki by the Ambassador and these guests. Ms. Melisa Miharu Kamibayashi, President of Ottawa Japanese Community Association, proposed a toast.
At the venue, Japanese food culture was showcased, including nigiri-zushi, chirashi-zushi and sake, and the Ambassador’s chef, Mr. Yasuhiro Shima, demonstrated the making of nigiri-zushi.
The joint band of Self-Defense Forces and Canadian Armed Forces presented performances of famous Canadian and Japanese songs, accompanied by Ambassador Yamanouchi on piano.
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| Opening remarks by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Speech by the Hon. Anthony Rota |
Speech by the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay |
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| Speech by the Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson |
the Hon. Ya’ara Saks with Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Kagami-Biraki by the Ambassador and guests of honour |
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| Sushi booth | Joint performance by JSDF and RCAF | Musical collaboration with Ambassador |