2011 Emperor's Birthday Reception

On November 24th, the 2011 Emperor's Birthday Reception was held at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, with His Honour, the Honourable Donald Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta and Her Honour, Mrs. Linda Ethell, as well as the Honourable Jack Hayden, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, and the Honourable Wayne Cao, Deputy Speaker & Chairman of Committees as well as other members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in attendance among 220 guests.

Consul General Fukuda expressed gratitude for the support from Canada and the consulate's jurisdictional provinces as Japan faced the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as detailed the current progress made in the reconstruction of Japan. In addition he referenced the importance of the enhancement of relations between Japan and the jurisdictional provinces, focusing on the fields of traditional food and energy resources.

Lieutenant-Governor Ethell shared his congratulations to the Emperor, and reiterated the support that Canadians and Albertans continue to offer to the people of Japan in their efforts to rebuild after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

At the venue, the consulate exhibited photographs of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visiting the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake encouraging the evacuees, and hosted a simultaneous demonstration of ikebana accompanied by traditional Japanese music of koto and flute. The atmosphere of enthusiasm among the guests was a conduit for a tremendously successful reception.