2026 Emperor's Birthday Reception
2026/2/20
On February 20th, the Consul-General of Japan in Calgary Takehiko Wajima hosted a reception to celebrate the 66th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Approximately 340 guests from a variety of fields attended the reception, including Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; the Honourable Ric McIver, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Elder Charlie Fox and other government officials, MLAs, business, cultural, and educational representatives.
Prior to the opening of the reception, seven members of Midnight Taiko performed taiko drumming. After the opening of the reception, the Calgary Opera performed the National Anthem of Canada, “O Canada”, and the National Anthem of Japan, “Kimigayo”.
Following both national anthems, speeches were made by Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; Minister Ric McIver, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Consul-General Wajima. A toast was then offered by Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani and Consul-General Wajima.
At the reception, the Official Chef of the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, Mr. Keisuke Oyama, demonstrated and served Nagasaki wagyu shabu-shabu, and Hokkaido sea urchin.
There were also booths featuring local Japanese businesses, the local Japanese community, Japanese sake, and Japanese tea tasting. In addition, the Local Japan booth was set up in collaboration with the Nagasaki and Hokkaido Prefectural Governments, the booths promoted their food, tourism and the culture.
Furthermore, an Ikebana, (Japanese flower arrangement) display by Ms. Keiko Otsuki, founder of the Sogetsu Calgary Study Group, added a festive touch to the reception.
Approximately 340 guests from a variety of fields attended the reception, including Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; the Honourable Ric McIver, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Elder Charlie Fox and other government officials, MLAs, business, cultural, and educational representatives.
Prior to the opening of the reception, seven members of Midnight Taiko performed taiko drumming. After the opening of the reception, the Calgary Opera performed the National Anthem of Canada, “O Canada”, and the National Anthem of Japan, “Kimigayo”.
Following both national anthems, speeches were made by Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; Minister Ric McIver, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta; Consul-General Wajima. A toast was then offered by Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani and Consul-General Wajima.
At the reception, the Official Chef of the Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, Mr. Keisuke Oyama, demonstrated and served Nagasaki wagyu shabu-shabu, and Hokkaido sea urchin.
There were also booths featuring local Japanese businesses, the local Japanese community, Japanese sake, and Japanese tea tasting. In addition, the Local Japan booth was set up in collaboration with the Nagasaki and Hokkaido Prefectural Governments, the booths promoted their food, tourism and the culture.
Furthermore, an Ikebana, (Japanese flower arrangement) display by Ms. Keiko Otsuki, founder of the Sogetsu Calgary Study Group, added a festive touch to the reception.
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| Speech from Her Honour the Honourable Salma Lakhani | Speech from the Honourable Ric McIver |
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| Speech from Consul-General Wajima | Toast |
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| The reception in progress | The reception in progress |
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| Taiko Drum performance by Midnight Taiko | National Anthems performed by Calgary Opera |
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| Serving Nagasaki wagyu | Japanese community booth by National Association of Japanese Canadians |
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| Japanese tea booth by Matsukaze Tea | Japanese sake booth by Sakegami |