Monthly Reflections

November Monthly Reflections
 

  Since my arrival on October 5th, I have met many Japanese nationals and Nikkei. At my welcome party held earlier by the Japanese nationals, I was able to meet more than 120 people, and since then, I have received many visits from companies and organizations from whom I have learned a lot about their business activities. I was also interviewed by the Japanese-language media "Fraser" and "Vancouver Shinpo", who published the articles last month. I also visited the Vancouver Japanese School where the children of Japanese nationals attend. I learned that the composer of the school song was Mr. Akiyama Kazuyoshi, who once served as the music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and I was reminded once again of the deep connection between this region and Japan. I was impressed by the children who are energetic and work hard, and I applaud them.

  During the month of October, I visited Nikkei Place in Burnaby, a Nikkei related facility in Steveston, and also Tonari Gumi, the Japanese Community Volunteers Association, in Vancouver. I received an explanation on the history of the Nikkei community since the 19th century and learned that many people are making efforts and contributing to the community today. In November, I had the opportunity to meet with a Japanese-Canadian organization in Victoria. On November 11th, Remembrance Day, I attended the Japanese-Canadian War Memorial Service, where I was reminded again of the difficult history of the Japanese-Canadian community and laid a wreath.

  I have now been accorded definitive recognition by the Canadian government, which is required to start my official duties as Consul General of Japan. General local elections were held in British Columbia on October 15th and now I have been in full swing paying courtesy calls on members of the legislative assembly and mayors. As noted above, I visited the provincial capital city, Victoria, where I paid courtesy calls on the Speaker of the House, relevant ministers, the mayor of Victoria, and visited a university. I also met with the mayors of Richmond and Coquitlam. Through these meetings, I got a sense of the expectations for sister city exchanges including those with Wakayama and Morioka and their perceptions of the Japanese community, and exchanged views on how to expand our future exchanges and how we can achieve substantive results. I also attended the inauguration ceremony of the mayor of Vancouver on November 7th. The ceremony began with the entrance of the mayor led by bagpipe players, followed by speeches by representatives of First Nations and religious organizations, and then the official swearing in of the mayor. It was such an interesting experience.
 

  I paid courtesy calls on several Consuls General in Vancouver. It was an opportunity to learn about each Consul General's interests and challenges and listen to their missions, while also promising to cooperate in the future. I will continue to attend consular delegation meetings including honorary Consuls General as well as their national day receptions.
 
  I look forward to seeing many of you in December and January at the year-end and New Year's events to which I have been kindly invited.