National Day Reception for the 61st Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2021/3/17
On March 4, Ambassador of Japan to Canada H.E. KAWAMURA Yasuhisa hosted an online reception to celebrate the 61st birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The reception was virtually attended by distinguished guests including Mr. Rob 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.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ambassador Kawamura shared the Emperor’s New Year greeting, and expressed sympathy for those who are affected and suffering from COVID-19 and gratitude to all of the front-line workers. He expressed gratitude once again to the Canadian government and citizens for their enormous support when Japan experienced the "Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11th, 2011 which will have been 10 years ago this year. He also suggested that we can overcome COVID-19 with the cooperation of international society, patience, and unity. Furthermore, he mentioned that both Canadian and Japanese Prime Ministers agreed to cooperate in order to realize and embody a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. (Read full text of the speech here)
Mr. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave his remarks as our guest of honour. He marked the Emperor's birthday at the beginning of his video. He also expressed his sympathy to all of the victims of the "Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11th, 2011. Lastly, he stated that he would like to strengthen the relations between Canada and Japan, who share a vision for maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Honourable Jim Munson, Senator and Co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group delivered wishes for the Emperor's birthday, as well as his sympathy to those who experienced the “Great East Japan Earthquake”. He also spoke of his expectation to overcome COVID-19 and successfully hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During the online reception, the exchanges, including sister cities, between Canada and Japan over the last few decades were showcased. Mr. Yosuke Kawasaki, Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ms. Jessica Linnebach, Associate Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra performed the national anthems of both countries and a few more pieces on their violins. An ikebana arrangement by the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter graced the ceremony.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Ambassador Kawamura shared the Emperor’s New Year greeting, and expressed sympathy for those who are affected and suffering from COVID-19 and gratitude to all of the front-line workers. He expressed gratitude once again to the Canadian government and citizens for their enormous support when Japan experienced the "Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11th, 2011 which will have been 10 years ago this year. He also suggested that we can overcome COVID-19 with the cooperation of international society, patience, and unity. Furthermore, he mentioned that both Canadian and Japanese Prime Ministers agreed to cooperate in order to realize and embody a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. (Read full text of the speech here)
Mr. Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave his remarks as our guest of honour. He marked the Emperor's birthday at the beginning of his video. He also expressed his sympathy to all of the victims of the "Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11th, 2011. Lastly, he stated that he would like to strengthen the relations between Canada and Japan, who share a vision for maintaining a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The Honourable Jim Munson, Senator and Co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group delivered wishes for the Emperor's birthday, as well as his sympathy to those who experienced the “Great East Japan Earthquake”. He also spoke of his expectation to overcome COVID-19 and successfully hold the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During the online reception, the exchanges, including sister cities, between Canada and Japan over the last few decades were showcased. Mr. Yosuke Kawasaki, Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ms. Jessica Linnebach, Associate Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra performed the national anthems of both countries and a few more pieces on their violins. An ikebana arrangement by the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter graced the ceremony.
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| Ambassador Kawamura |
Mr. Rob Oliphant
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs |
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Honourable Jim Munson
Senator and Co-chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group
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National anthems played by Mr. Yosuke Kawasaki & Ms. Jessica Linnebach |
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| Peoples exchanges between Japan and Canada along with violin performance |
Natori city hosting Canada as “Arigato” Host Town for Supporting Reconstruction |
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