Commemorative Celebration Ceremony Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Ottawa Japanese Language School
2025/10/5
On October 4th, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi held a commemorative celebration ceremony at the Ambassador’s residence to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Ottawa Japanese Language School (OJLS), honouring the school’s achievements over the past 50 years together with its students and staff.
Japanese language education in Ottawa first started at the Ottawa Japanese Language School, which was founded in 1976 by Japanese parents. Currently, it is run as a non-profit organization by volunteer board members, and accepts Japanese language learners of all ages, from kindergarteners to adults.
At the ceremony, a letter of congratulations by His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, was shared with the participants followed by remarks from Ms. Kazuko Kobayashi, Principal of the OJLS, who expressed gratitude to the Ottawa community and the members of the school for their long-standing support of the school. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi then paid tribute to the members of the school community for their fifty years of dedication to Japanese language education, noting the important role the school has played in Japan–Canada relations and expressing his hopes for its continued growth. This was followed by a cake-cutting and toast. Toward the end of the ceremony, the youth class students at the school performed the Sōran Bushi dance.
Japanese language education in Ottawa first started at the Ottawa Japanese Language School, which was founded in 1976 by Japanese parents. Currently, it is run as a non-profit organization by volunteer board members, and accepts Japanese language learners of all ages, from kindergarteners to adults.
At the ceremony, a letter of congratulations by His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, was shared with the participants followed by remarks from Ms. Kazuko Kobayashi, Principal of the OJLS, who expressed gratitude to the Ottawa community and the members of the school for their long-standing support of the school. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi then paid tribute to the members of the school community for their fifty years of dedication to Japanese language education, noting the important role the school has played in Japan–Canada relations and expressing his hopes for its continued growth. This was followed by a cake-cutting and toast. Toward the end of the ceremony, the youth class students at the school performed the Sōran Bushi dance.
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi delivering his remarks |
Ms. Kobayashi, Principal of the Ottawa Japanese Language School delivering her remarks |
Cake cutting by members of the Ottawa Japanese Language School