Monthly Reflections
November Monthly Reflections
The sun is setting earlier and earlier, and while I miss the brightness of summer, the decorations in the city are becoming more festive in preparation for Christmas and the New Year's holiday. I am sure everyone’s days are very hectic with the cold and the rain. The news coming in from around the world continues to be distressing, but please take care and have a wonderful New Year.
○Local exchanges with Japan
In November, we also had visitors from Japan.
I explained the current situation in BC and its relationship with Japan to Vice Speaker Teruya Moriyuki and a delegation from Okinawa Prefectural Assembly, who visited the Consulate General, and we exchanged views on various possibilities for future exchanges. I listened with great interest to their comments about the situation in BC, including various topics such as Japan-Canada trade and LGBT issues, as well as Okinawa's unique perspective on global topics such as environmental issues.
I was also invited to a goodwill judo tournament to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Richmond Judo Club. Judo practitioners in elementary, junior high, and high school from Wakayama, where I myself visited during the summer, arrived at their sister city, Richmond, to participate in the tournament. Prior to the tournament, Richmond Mayor Brody invited the group to City Hall for a commemorative tree-planting ceremony with city council members, where the mayor himself gave each member of the group a commemorative gift and took a photo. The warm welcome they received made me realize the importance of the relationship between Wakayama City, and also Japan. In addition, as the Judo Club celebrates its 70th anniversary, I would like to express my deepest respect to Mr. Jim Kojima, former president of Judo Canada, and all those involved for ensuring that Japanese judo is firmly established here.
○Nikkei Community
On Remembrance Day, I attended the memorial service in Stanley Park. This was the second time for me to offer a wreath of flowers, and I was even more deeply moved as I recalled the many people I had met and the many stories I had heard from them over the past year. Considering the uncertain situation in the world, the red colour of the many poppies was very poignant.
○Japan-Canada Relations
I have continued to exchange views with the BC government and legislature, as well as with members of the local business community. In particular, in the economic field, a forestry mission led by the BC Minister of Forests, Hon. Bruce Ralston is scheduled to visit Japan in the near future. In addition to these industry representatives, I am visiting the mineral, energy, transportation, and other industries to reaffirm the variety of economic activities in the region and to exchange views on their relationship with Japan.
In November, we co-hosted a lecture with UBC, inviting Professor Satoshi Mori of Keio University. The theme was Japan's role in the security of the Indo-Pacific region, and Professor Mori provided a very clear explanation. The event was attended by 120 students and other participants. After the lecture, I took questions from many enthusiastic students and had a very fruitful time with them. I was reminded of the importance of such dialogue and of intellectual dialogue for mutual understanding. I hope to hold more of these opportunities in the future and look forward to seeing you there.