Farewell and Welcome Reception for the Deputy Heads of Mission
2025/9/10
On September 10, 2025, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi hosted a farewell and welcome reception for the deputy heads of mission of the Embassy of Japan in Canada.
The reception was attended by many dignitaries, including member of the House of Commons Kevin Waugh and former Senator Victor Oh, Founding CEO of the Canadian Business Council Thomas D’Aquino, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea Younggi Ahn, Deputy Minister for International Trade at Global Affairs Canada Rob Stewart. Attendees also included members of the Ottawa Japanese Association, and academia and cultural figures, totaling approximately 110 people.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi expressed his gratitude and respect for the diplomatic activities carried out by Deputy Head of Mission Kohei Maruyama for approximately one year in Canada, and expressed his expectations for the new diplomatic activities to be undertaken together with the new Deputy Head of Mission Hideaki Ishii. Following this, outgoing Deputy Head of Mission Maruyama gave a farewell address, and new Deputy Head of Mission Ishii gave an inaugural address. Afterwards, former Senator Oh, CEO D’Aquino, and Deputy Chief of Mission Ahn gave speeches to guests, and Deputy Minister Stewart gave a toast.
Attendees experienced the irresistible appeal of Japanese cuisine which were served at the venue. Towards the end of the reception, the participants sang along to the piano accompaniment of Ambassador Yamanouchi. It was also a meaningful opportunity for Deputy Head of Mission Maruyama to be able to hand over the positive working relationships that he had built during his tenure to Deputy Head of Mission Ishii.
The reception was attended by many dignitaries, including member of the House of Commons Kevin Waugh and former Senator Victor Oh, Founding CEO of the Canadian Business Council Thomas D’Aquino, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea Younggi Ahn, Deputy Minister for International Trade at Global Affairs Canada Rob Stewart. Attendees also included members of the Ottawa Japanese Association, and academia and cultural figures, totaling approximately 110 people.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Yamanouchi expressed his gratitude and respect for the diplomatic activities carried out by Deputy Head of Mission Kohei Maruyama for approximately one year in Canada, and expressed his expectations for the new diplomatic activities to be undertaken together with the new Deputy Head of Mission Hideaki Ishii. Following this, outgoing Deputy Head of Mission Maruyama gave a farewell address, and new Deputy Head of Mission Ishii gave an inaugural address. Afterwards, former Senator Oh, CEO D’Aquino, and Deputy Chief of Mission Ahn gave speeches to guests, and Deputy Minister Stewart gave a toast.
Attendees experienced the irresistible appeal of Japanese cuisine which were served at the venue. Towards the end of the reception, the participants sang along to the piano accompaniment of Ambassador Yamanouchi. It was also a meaningful opportunity for Deputy Head of Mission Maruyama to be able to hand over the positive working relationships that he had built during his tenure to Deputy Head of Mission Ishii.
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| Welcome remarks by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Remarks by Kohei Maruyama, Outgoing Deputy Head of Mission |
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| Remarks by Hideaki Ishii, New Deputy Head of Mission |
Remarks by former Senator Victor Oh |
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| Remarks by Founding CEO of the Canadian Business Council Thomas D’Aquino |
Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea Younggi Ahn |
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| Toast by Deputy Minister for International Trade at Global Affairs Canada Rob Stewart | Chorus with the Ambassador’s piano accompaniment |