2025 New Year Reception
2025/1/15
On January 15, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi hosted the 2025 New Year Reception at his residence. Approximately 115 guests attended this event, including Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen, Chief Government Whip MP Mona Fortier, Japanese nationals and Japanese Canadians living in the Ottawa area.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi reviewed notable events between Japan and Canada in 2024, and emphasized that in the ever-changing global situation, Japan and Canada are extremely important bilateral partners who share fundamental values, and it is important that our countries continue to work closely together. He also stated that the year 2025 will be even more important for both Japan and Canada, as Canada will hold the G7 presidency and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will be held in Japan. After that, Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen and Chief Government Whip MP Mona Fortier gave their greetings as guests, and the Kagami-Biraki ceremony was held to wish the participants a happy and prosperous year 2025. Next, Mr. Matt Miwa, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA), gave a toast.
Mr. Shima, Chef of Ambassador Yamanouchi, prepared a variety of Japanese dishes for the occasion, including Osechi (a set of Japanese festive dishes served on New Year’s Day), sushi and tempura. Japanese sake was also served. Also Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, by Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter, and Kakizome (first calligraphy of the year) by the students of Ottawa Hoshuko were displayed. In addition, toward the end of the reception, the participants sang along to the piano accompaniment of Ambassador Yamanouchi, adding a festive touch to the reception.
*Kagami-Biraki is a ceremony performed at celebratory events in Japan. ‘Kagami’ refers to the lid of the sake barrel, and ‘Biraki’ means ‘to open’, so Kagami-Biraki literally means, ‘opening the lid’. Because of its round shape, ‘Kagami’ is also as symbol of harmony. Kagami-Biraki therefore represents an opening to harmony and good fortune and is often performed to celebrate the New Year and the start of a new departure in life or business.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi reviewed notable events between Japan and Canada in 2024, and emphasized that in the ever-changing global situation, Japan and Canada are extremely important bilateral partners who share fundamental values, and it is important that our countries continue to work closely together. He also stated that the year 2025 will be even more important for both Japan and Canada, as Canada will hold the G7 presidency and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai will be held in Japan. After that, Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen and Chief Government Whip MP Mona Fortier gave their greetings as guests, and the Kagami-Biraki ceremony was held to wish the participants a happy and prosperous year 2025. Next, Mr. Matt Miwa, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA), gave a toast.
Mr. Shima, Chef of Ambassador Yamanouchi, prepared a variety of Japanese dishes for the occasion, including Osechi (a set of Japanese festive dishes served on New Year’s Day), sushi and tempura. Japanese sake was also served. Also Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, by Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter, and Kakizome (first calligraphy of the year) by the students of Ottawa Hoshuko were displayed. In addition, toward the end of the reception, the participants sang along to the piano accompaniment of Ambassador Yamanouchi, adding a festive touch to the reception.
*Kagami-Biraki is a ceremony performed at celebratory events in Japan. ‘Kagami’ refers to the lid of the sake barrel, and ‘Biraki’ means ‘to open’, so Kagami-Biraki literally means, ‘opening the lid’. Because of its round shape, ‘Kagami’ is also as symbol of harmony. Kagami-Biraki therefore represents an opening to harmony and good fortune and is often performed to celebrate the New Year and the start of a new departure in life or business.
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| Opening remarks by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
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| Remarks by Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen |
Remarks by Chief Government Whip MP Mona Fortier |
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| Kagami-biraki ceremony by Ambassador Yamanouchi and guests |
Toast by President of the OJCA Matt Miwa |
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| Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, by Ms. Anne Breau |
Kakizome work by the students of Ottawa Hoshuko |