National Day Reception for the 60th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2020/2/26
On February 18, prior to the 60th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on February 23, Ambassador of Japan to Canada KAWAMURA Yasuhisa hosted a reception to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The reception was attended by distinguished guests including the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, Dr. Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Honourable Jim Munson, Senator and Co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group. Approximately 400 guests attended the reception from a variety of fields, including Canadian federal government officials, Senators, Members of Parliament, Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, heads of diplomatic missions, academics, cultural groups as well as local businesses.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ambassador Kawamura delivered his opening remarks (full text) in which he expressed the intention to further develop the current strategic partnership between Japan and Canada through a more proactive and tangible commitment with Canada to the Indo-Pacific region under the “Free and open Indo-Pacific” vision.
The Right Honourable Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, gave his remarks as our guest of honour. Mr. Marc-André Fabien, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Mr. Chris Wilson, Executive Director of CBC Sports & Olympics also offered their congratulatory speeches, fostering momentum towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ambassador Kawamura gave a commendation to Rugby Canada, represented by Mr. Tim Powers, Chairman of Rugby Canada. The Canadian Rugby Team demonstrated great kindness helping with restoration efforts after Typhoon Hagibis hit Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture at the time of 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. As such, Rugby Canada made a significant contribution to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between our two countries.
Dr. Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his speech expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the collaboration in organizing a charter flight to repatriate Canadians aboard the “Diamond Princess” cruise ship and the assistance offered to its Canadian passengers.
At the reception, Mr. Kamiya, Chef of Ambassador Kawamura, served the guests Nigirizushi (hand-shaped sushi). Ms. Tajiri Mariko, a Sake sommelier based in Toronto, gave a lecture about Japanese sake at sake tasting booth. Japanese curry rice was served at a Japanese rice-tasting booth and Japanese companies and organizations promoted tourism to Japan. An ikebana arrangement by the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter graced the stage.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ambassador Kawamura delivered his opening remarks (full text) in which he expressed the intention to further develop the current strategic partnership between Japan and Canada through a more proactive and tangible commitment with Canada to the Indo-Pacific region under the “Free and open Indo-Pacific” vision.
The Right Honourable Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada, gave his remarks as our guest of honour. Mr. Marc-André Fabien, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Mr. Chris Wilson, Executive Director of CBC Sports & Olympics also offered their congratulatory speeches, fostering momentum towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ambassador Kawamura gave a commendation to Rugby Canada, represented by Mr. Tim Powers, Chairman of Rugby Canada. The Canadian Rugby Team demonstrated great kindness helping with restoration efforts after Typhoon Hagibis hit Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture at the time of 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. As such, Rugby Canada made a significant contribution to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between our two countries.
Dr. Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his speech expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the collaboration in organizing a charter flight to repatriate Canadians aboard the “Diamond Princess” cruise ship and the assistance offered to its Canadian passengers.
At the reception, Mr. Kamiya, Chef of Ambassador Kawamura, served the guests Nigirizushi (hand-shaped sushi). Ms. Tajiri Mariko, a Sake sommelier based in Toronto, gave a lecture about Japanese sake at sake tasting booth. Japanese curry rice was served at a Japanese rice-tasting booth and Japanese companies and organizations promoted tourism to Japan. An ikebana arrangement by the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter graced the stage.
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| Ambassador Kawamura making his opening remarks | The Rt. Hon. Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada making his remarks |
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| Commendation to Rugby Canada, represented by Mr. Powers, Chairman of Rugby Canada | Mr. Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs making his remarks |
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| Ambassador and Mrs. Kawamura and The Rt. Hon. Wagner and Mrs. Wagner | Ambassador Kawamura and The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defense |
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| Sushi booth | Japanese companies’ booths |
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| Sake booth | Guests having gathered to the Reception |