Message from Consul General Ito

 

Greetings.

 

January has flown by so quickly while I was attending numerous new-year events for 2012. Although these events happen only once a year, they are joyful occasions with everyone being in good cheer.

 

Early this year, Mr. Iwamoto, Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan visited British Columbia to observe current forestry status, and I accompanied him to a sawmill in Delta as well to the UBC Research Forest.  My agenda last month also included a visit to 3 municipalities in the Okanagan region, Penticton, Summerland and Oliver, which all have twin relations with cities in Japan.

 

A reception on the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake will be held in March, for which our office is now preparing.  At the event I would like to thank the supporters who have helped the disaster relief efforts and give an update on the progress of reconstruction in Japan, even though the venue won’t hold all the people who assisted the cause.  I understand that various local groups are planning to host similar events as well.  Together with cooperation from the communities, our consulate would like to give long lasting support to the recovery.

 

Lately daylight has been getting a little longer and we’ve experienced some sunny days, although we are having more precipitation over previous years, I think.  Please take a good care of yourself not to catch a cold.    

 

Hideki Ito
Consul General
February 13, 2012