Reception for the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
2019/6/4
On May 30, Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane and Mrs. Ishikane hosted a reception to celebrate the enthronment of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The reception was attended by distinguished guests including the Right Hon. Jean Chretien, Former Prime Minister of Canada, the Hon. Michael Moldaver, Judge of the Supreme Court, the Hon. Victor Oh, Senator, and the Hon. Angelo Iacono, MP, both Vice Chairs of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group. Approximately 110 guests attended the reception from a variety of fields, including Canadian federal government officials, Senators, Members of Parliament, Judge, heads of diplomatic missions, academics, cultural groups, and local businesses.
The reception was opened by the national anthems of Canada and Japan. Ambassador Ishikane then delivered his opening remarks (full text), mentioning the warm relations between the Emperor Emeritus and Canada, introducing the words of His Majesty the Emperor on the occasion of his enthronement and providing the meaning of the name of the new era, Reiwa. He expressed his sincere hope that bilateral relationships will be further promoted between the people of these two countries in the new era.
Mr. James Tayler, former Ambassador of Canada to Japan, then spoke, expressing his heartfelt congratulatory message while remembering his unforgettable experience with the Japanese Imperial Family, as the Ambassador. Lastly, the Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, Former Prime Minister of Canada, offered his remarks, mentioning that he fondly remembers his heart-warming relations with Japan and Japanese people, including people he encountered during his visit to Japan as Prime Minister, then warmly congratulated the enthronement.
At the reception, there was a photo of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, and a video showing their respective backgrounds and personalities was played. Mr. Okumura, Chef of Ambassador Ishikane, served the guests Japanese cuisine. A variety of sake from different parts of Japan was also served. Ikebana arrangements by Ikebana International and Mrs. Ishikane also graced the reception.
The reception was opened by the national anthems of Canada and Japan. Ambassador Ishikane then delivered his opening remarks (full text), mentioning the warm relations between the Emperor Emeritus and Canada, introducing the words of His Majesty the Emperor on the occasion of his enthronement and providing the meaning of the name of the new era, Reiwa. He expressed his sincere hope that bilateral relationships will be further promoted between the people of these two countries in the new era.
Mr. James Tayler, former Ambassador of Canada to Japan, then spoke, expressing his heartfelt congratulatory message while remembering his unforgettable experience with the Japanese Imperial Family, as the Ambassador. Lastly, the Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, Former Prime Minister of Canada, offered his remarks, mentioning that he fondly remembers his heart-warming relations with Japan and Japanese people, including people he encountered during his visit to Japan as Prime Minister, then warmly congratulated the enthronement.
At the reception, there was a photo of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, and a video showing their respective backgrounds and personalities was played. Mr. Okumura, Chef of Ambassador Ishikane, served the guests Japanese cuisine. A variety of sake from different parts of Japan was also served. Ikebana arrangements by Ikebana International and Mrs. Ishikane also graced the reception.
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| Photo of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress | Ambassador Ishikane making his welcoming remarks |
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| Former Ambassador Tayler making his remarks | The Right Hon. Jean Chrétien, Former Prime Minister, making his remarks |
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| Main hall | The Hon. Victor Oh, Senator, and Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane |