Hi everyone!
Well it’s been a great summer so far. As you know, we’ve been honoured with a visit of Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, who were in Canada from July 3 to July 14. Their visit to Canada, marking over 80 years of diplomatic relations with Canada, took them to the cities of Ottawa, Toronto, Victoria, and Vancouver. The Province of British Columbia also proclaimed that 2009 be known as “Japan-British Columbia Friendship Year”, which marks 120 years since Japan opened its consulate in Vancouver. Events and ceremonies will be held throughout Canada and Japan to help commemorate this auspicious year.
The visit to Canada by His Royal Highness Emperor Akihito is the first since 1953, when he was a 19-year-old crown prince and travelled by train across Canada, making this visit very special. His visit was special for me as it was a great honour to meet Japan’s 125th Emperor. I would never have dreamt that this would have been possible in my lifetime.
In Ottawa, Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Japan, met her Excellency the Right Honourable Michelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, Mr Jean-Daniel Lafond, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Speaker of the Senate Noel Kinsella, Minister of Foreign Affairs Christine Donoghue, Ambassador of Japan Tsuneo Nishida, and visited the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
In Toronto, Their Majesties, The Emperor and Empress of Japan had an audience with Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley and Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty. They also visited the Hospital for Sick Children, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, and the Momiji Senior’s Centre.
In Victoria, Their Majesties had an audience with Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Steven Point and Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell. During this visit they met with some Canadian people and the Institute of Ocean Sciences.
During their visit to Vancouver, Their Majesties attended a reception co-hosted by the Ambassador of Japan Tsuneo Nishida and Consul-General of Japan in Vancouver Seiichi Otsuka at the new Vancouver Convention Centre. They also visited the University of British Columbia, Richmond Olympic Oval, and Nikkei Place, where Their Majesties were met by several hundred Canadians who wanted to catch a glimpse of Imperial couple. While on route to the reception at the new Convention Centre, Their Majesties visited the Vancouver Japanese Language & Japanese Hall in the old Japantown area of the Vancouver Eastside. The Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Citizens’ Association and its membership thanks Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for visiting Canada. We wish them good health and happiness in the coming years.
On a special side note I would like to invite all individuals to come and participate in the upcoming August 5th Obon Odori at Nikkei Place and the Honouring Our People: Stories of the Internment conference on September 25-27 at Nikkei Place in Burnaby, BC. Brochures and registration forms are available online now at the Bulletin/Geppo website and in hardcopy at various locations in Vancouver.
Hopefully we will see everyone at the Powell Street Festival on August 1-2 at Woodland Park.
See you soon,
Ron Nishimura, President, Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian
Citizens’ Association
