Monthly Reflections
July Monthly Reflections
I temporarily returned to Japan for the first time in a while and was welcomed by the extreme summer heat. Fed up with the intense sunlight about which there was no use arguing, I stared at the display on my cell phone that said, "The current temperature in Vancouver is 19 degrees Celsius." I wish you all a happy and healthy summer. Here is my report for July.
- Canada Day and More
On July 1st, I had the opportunity to attend the Salmon Festival held in Steveston, Richmond, for the first time. The festival, which had resumed last year after a hiatus due to the pandemic, was in full swing this year, attracting a large crowd. When I was given notice of my assignment to Vancouver, the first thing I bought was a red and white tie, which I wore for the first time to the opening event and visited various booths. I met with the Mayor of Richmond, city councillors, and members of the BC Legislature as well as the members of the Japanese community. This served as another opportunity to appreciate the history of the Japanese community and the diversity of the region.
The following week, I attended the Multicultural Drum Festival held in Burnaby. This was the first time the festival was held, and it featured a dynamic performance by percussion groups from various countries, including a Japanese Taiko drumming team. The venue was brimming with energy. I felt that this festival also demonstrated the coexistence of multiculturalism in Canada.
- Sister City Exchanges
As various exchanges that were affected by the pandemic are gradually showing signs of recovery, sister city exchanges are also beginning to take place in non-virtual forms. Mayor Ishiguro and his delegation from Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture, sister city with Kelowna, visited Vancouver, and I had the opportunity to meet with them and exchange views. As I have previously reported on this page, I had the pleasure of visiting Kelowna myself in April. There are 33 sister city relationships between BC and Japan, and I hope that exchanges will become even more active in the future, fostering a deeper mutual understanding.
Related to these sister city exchanges, I had the opportunity to visit Wakayama during a brief return home. I met with Vice-Governor Shimo of Wakayama Prefecture and Mayor Obana of Wakayama City, and had the chance to exchange views with prefectural and city officials in charge of international affairs. Wakayama City has more than 50 years of exchange with Richmond City, and just in May, Mayor Brodie and his delegation visited Wakayama City. I also visited the "Canada Museum" in the prefecture, which reminded me of the "Murakami House" in Steveston, and I was immersed in the feeling that Japan and Canada are connected across time and space.
- Other Matters
The official residence of the Consul General of Japan, where I am based, is a heritage building with a history of more than 110 years. However, due to considerable aging, various parts needed repair and renovation. In order to carry out the renovation work, it was necessary to move out furnishings and other items, and this relocation process continued until early July. I had no time to think the long history of the building, which has been used as the official residence dating back to the 1920s, and I worked tirelessly with staff and contractors to complete the task.