National Day Reception for the 65th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2025/2/11
On February 11, 2025, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi hosted the National Day Reception, prior to the 65th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on February 23 at the Fairmont Château Laurier.
Approximately 520 guests attended the reception, including the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, the Honourable Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Chief Government Whip MP, and many other Canadian federal government officials, Senators, Members of Parliament, judicial officials, heads of diplomatic missions, Japanese-Canadian communities, academics, cultural groups as well as local businesses.
Prior to the opening of the reception, a PR video of the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai was shown, and five members of Oto-wa Taiko performed taiko drumming. After the opening of the reception, the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) performed the National Anthem of Canada, “O Canada” (string duo), and Ms. Noriko Hashimoto, a soprano singer living in Ottawa, sang the National Anthem of Japan, “Kimigayo” (solo).
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi extended his heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor on his birthday, and emphasized that in the ever-changing global situation, Japan and Canada are extremely important bilateral partners and true friends in confidence who share fundamental values, including the free and open Indo-Pacific, and that it is important for both countries to continue to cooperate closely in various fields.
Looking back on the progress of Japan-Canada relations in 2024, he highlighted figures that mentioned Japan being rated favourably in Canada, the increased number of Canadian visitors to Japan, and the significant amount of investment by Japanese companies, and stated that the year 2025 will be even more important for both Japan and Canada, as Canada holds the G7 presidency, Japan-Canada economic relations are expected to further develop, and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will be held in Japan. In addition, he asked representatives from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, All Nippon Airways (ANA), UNIQLO, Ozeki, Beam Suntory, ITO EN, JNTO, and Kumamoto City, who all had provided booths at this reception, to come up on stage, and introduced each of them to the audience. Finally he invited Myaku-Myaku, the official character (mascot) of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, to join him on stage, and built momentum for the Expo.
Next, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, gave his remarks as the guest of honour. It was followed by congratulatory remarks by the Honourable Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons. Following this, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, gave a toast, and a grand Kagami-biraki ceremony (ceremonial opening of the lid of a sake barrel) was held with dignitaries from various fields.
At the reception, the Chef of Ambassador Yamanouchi, Mr. Shima, demonstrated and served nigiri sushi, and sushi rolls, sashimi (raw seafood), and tempura were served as well. There were also an Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai introduction booth, a booth introducing tourism in Japan, booths introducing the activities of Japanese companies, Japanese sake, shochu (Japanese distilled spirits), Japanese whiskey and Japanese tea tasting booths and booths for tasting Kumamoto City specialties and Japanese fruits. In addition, Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, by Ms. Keiko Nagasawa, Vice President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter, Japan-Canada exchange postcards created by children in Wakayama City, a Bonsai by the Ottawa Bonsai Society and a Kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll of calligraphy) created by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Maruyama were displayed in the venue and videos introducing tourism in Japan were shown throughout the evening, which added a festive touch to the reception.
Kagami-biraki ceremony
Approximately 520 guests attended the reception, including the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, the Honourable Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Chief Government Whip MP, and many other Canadian federal government officials, Senators, Members of Parliament, judicial officials, heads of diplomatic missions, Japanese-Canadian communities, academics, cultural groups as well as local businesses.
Prior to the opening of the reception, a PR video of the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai was shown, and five members of Oto-wa Taiko performed taiko drumming. After the opening of the reception, the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) performed the National Anthem of Canada, “O Canada” (string duo), and Ms. Noriko Hashimoto, a soprano singer living in Ottawa, sang the National Anthem of Japan, “Kimigayo” (solo).
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi extended his heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor on his birthday, and emphasized that in the ever-changing global situation, Japan and Canada are extremely important bilateral partners and true friends in confidence who share fundamental values, including the free and open Indo-Pacific, and that it is important for both countries to continue to cooperate closely in various fields.
Looking back on the progress of Japan-Canada relations in 2024, he highlighted figures that mentioned Japan being rated favourably in Canada, the increased number of Canadian visitors to Japan, and the significant amount of investment by Japanese companies, and stated that the year 2025 will be even more important for both Japan and Canada, as Canada holds the G7 presidency, Japan-Canada economic relations are expected to further develop, and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will be held in Japan. In addition, he asked representatives from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, All Nippon Airways (ANA), UNIQLO, Ozeki, Beam Suntory, ITO EN, JNTO, and Kumamoto City, who all had provided booths at this reception, to come up on stage, and introduced each of them to the audience. Finally he invited Myaku-Myaku, the official character (mascot) of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, to join him on stage, and built momentum for the Expo.
Next, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, gave his remarks as the guest of honour. It was followed by congratulatory remarks by the Honourable Greg Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons. Following this, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, gave a toast, and a grand Kagami-biraki ceremony (ceremonial opening of the lid of a sake barrel) was held with dignitaries from various fields.
At the reception, the Chef of Ambassador Yamanouchi, Mr. Shima, demonstrated and served nigiri sushi, and sushi rolls, sashimi (raw seafood), and tempura were served as well. There were also an Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai introduction booth, a booth introducing tourism in Japan, booths introducing the activities of Japanese companies, Japanese sake, shochu (Japanese distilled spirits), Japanese whiskey and Japanese tea tasting booths and booths for tasting Kumamoto City specialties and Japanese fruits. In addition, Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, by Ms. Keiko Nagasawa, Vice President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter, Japan-Canada exchange postcards created by children in Wakayama City, a Bonsai by the Ottawa Bonsai Society and a Kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll of calligraphy) created by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Maruyama were displayed in the venue and videos introducing tourism in Japan were shown throughout the evening, which added a festive touch to the reception.
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| Opening remarks by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Remarks by the Right Honourable Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada |
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| Representatives of Japanese companies and others on stage |
Myaku-Myaku on stage |
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| Remarks by the Honourable Fergus, Speaker of the House of Commons |
Toast by the Honourable Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship |
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| Performance by Oto-wa Taiko players |
National Anthem of Canada by NACO (string duo) |
National Anthem of Japan “Kimigayo” by Ms. Noriko Hashimoto (solo) |
Kagami-biraki ceremony
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| Assorted sashimi by Chef Shima |
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai introduction booth |
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| Japanese sake, Japanese whiskey and Japanese tea tasting booths |
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| Ikebana by Ms. Keiko Nagasawa |
Japan-Canada exchange postcards created by children in Wakayama City |
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| Bonsai by the Ottawa Bonsai Society |
Kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll of calligraphy) created by Deputy Head of Mission
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