Archives 2015-2016

Meeting with high school students (December 16, 2016)

Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General of Japan, invited to his residence two fourth year high school students from Kyoto currently studying in Montreal on exchange as part of the "Kyoto Prefectural High School Satellite Project", along with representatives from Saint-Laurent High School who are expected to visit Japan in 2017 as participants in the “KAKEHASHI Project – The Bridge for Tomorrow” exchange program. For approximately 90 minutes, in a cordial atmosphere, Ms. Saki Shintani (Sagano High School) and Ms. Chisato Yamada (Toba High School) exchanged with Mr. Patrice Brisebois, Principal, as well as teachers and students from Saint-Laurent High School, discussing about various topics, such as the perspective of Japanese exchange students here in Montreal, and daily life in Japan.

Group Photo

Foreign Minister’s Commendation (December 10, 2016)

On the occasion of its 40th anniversary, Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal Inc. (JCCCM) was awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation, in recognition of its distinguished service in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Canada, contributing to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.
During the 40th anniversary event at JCCCM, Mr. Michio Hirai, President, received the award from Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General. Ms. Mary Deros, Montreal City Council, also extended congratulations on this occasion.

Presentation of the award	Congratulatory speech of Mr. Kuramitsu, Consul General	Congratulatory speech of Ms. Deros, Montreal City Council
Speech of Mr. Hirai, President of JCCCM	Cutting the 40th anniversary Cake	A photo shot with members of JCCCM

Presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to Mr. Philippe Arseneau (December 7, 2016)

It was on the occasion of the 2016 JET Returnees’ Reception that Mr. Philippe Arseneau received the Award of the Consul General, Hideaki Kuramitsu. Formerly a Miyagi Prefecture JET from 1991 to 1994, Mr. Arseneau continues to support Japan through tourism, business and culture long after his return to Quebec, and we salute his outstanding contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Canada.

Congratulatory speech of Mr. Kuramitsu, Consul General

Speech of Mr. Arseneau

A photo shot with guests

2016 Emperor’s Birthday National Day Reception (November 25, 2016)

A reception of National Day in honor of the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, co-organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal and the Delegation of Japan to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), was held at the ICAO Headquarters on Friday November 25, 2016.

Ms. Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, and Ms. Mary Deros, Montreal City Councilor, attended among about 410 guests.

	(from left) Mr. Hideaki Kiramitsu, Consul General, Ms. Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, Ms. Mary Deros, Montreal City Councilor, Mr. Shinji Mtsui, Representative of Japan to the Council of ICAO
Sake presentation by Sake sommeliers	Ikebana exhibition

Consul General’s Award Presentation (November 12, 2016)

On November 12, a Consul General’s Award was presented to Mr. Akira Oshima, Principal of Montreal Hoshuko School. 200 people, including Mr. Tsuruzono, Chief of administration of Hoshuko, Mr. Horii, President of the Japanese Association of Commerce and Industry in Montreal, Mr. Geoffrey Dowd, Former Principal of Trafalgar School for girls, students of Hoshuko and their parents all celebrated the award of Mr. Oshima.

Presentation of the award	Congratulatory speech of Mr. Kuramitsu, Consul General	Speech of Mr. Oshima, Principal of Montreal Hoshuko School
Presentation of a flower bouquet from students	A photo shot with guests

Japanese Cooking Workshop for Youth at JCCCM (November 5, 2016)

Visit to CyberConnect2 Co., Ltd. (November 2, 2016)

JCI World Congress Quebec City (October 31, 2016)

Visit to Medicago Inc. (October 31, 2016)

Visit to the Consulate by the members of Fukushima Prefectural Assembly (October 28, 2016)

The 33rd Japanese Film Festival in Montreal (October 27 and 29, 2016)

Symposium at Laval University “Japan Rising Again? Tokyo's Security Policy in the Era of US-China Competition” (October 27, 2016)

(center) Prof. Tsuyoshi Kawasaki, Simon Fraser University

Japan Booth at International Tourism & Travel Show at Place Bonaventure (October 21 to 23, 2016)

“Discover Japan: Tokyo & Beyond” organized by JNTO and Tokyo Tourism

Green tea introduction

Calligraphy Works hop

Japanese Sake Seminar for ITHQ organized by JETRO Toronto (October 14, 2016)

The Japan Day : “Le Japon, un pays en transformation : économie, politique et démocratie” at UQAM (October 7, 2016)

Ms. Michèle Rioux, Director of CEIM

Mr. Sebastien Lechevalier, President of “la Fondation France Japon de l'EHESS”

Prof. Yves Tiberghien, Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia

Quebec-Japan Business Forum Season Launching Cocktail (October 5, 2016)

Official visit to New Brunswick (September 28-30, 2016)

The Honourable Jocelyne Roy-Vienneau, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick

Mr. Brian Gallant, Premier of New Brunswick

Mr. Chris Collins, Speaker of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly

Screening of the Japan-Turkey Co-Production “Kainan 1890” at JCCCM (September 24, 2016)

The Japanese Film Festival at Memorial University of Newfoundland - “A Tale of Samurai Cooking” (September 23, 2016)

Japanesque Festival at Saint Mary’s University (September 18, 2016)

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President of Saint Mary’s University

Sports Festival at the Montreal Hoshuko School (September 10, 2016)

Visit to Esstalion Technologies Inc. (September 8, 2016)

Canadian National Iaido Championship (September 3, 2016)

Matsuri-Japon at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal (August 13, 2016)

Opening Ceremony

Consulate’s Kiosk

Yukata Workshop

Official visit to Prince Edward Island (August 8 and 9, 2016)

Hon. H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor and Hon. H. Wade MacLauchlan, Premier

Mr. Clifford J. Lee, Mayor of Charlottetown

Visit of University of Prince Edward Island

Visit of Island Abbey Foods

Otakuthon at Palais des congrès (August 5 to 7, 2016)

Kiosk of Consulate and Japan National Tourism Organization, Toronto	Conference by Mr. Hideaki Nakazawa, Executive Director, Japan National Tourism Organization, Toronto	Japanese Traditional Performance by Hiroshima-Canada Cultural Goodwill Mission	Ikebana Workshop
GO Workshop	Tea ceremony demonstration	Japanese Traditional Dance Workshop	Consul General Award at Masquerade

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony at the Japanese Garden of the Montréal Botanical Garden (August 5, 2016)

Mr. Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, and H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada

Farewell Reception for the 2016 JET Programme participants (July 29, 2016)

Performance by Ms.Yuki Isami at Japan Night, Fantasia International Film Festival (July 23, 2016)

Japanese Baritone Saxophone Ensemble “Tokyo Chutei Iki” Concert at Esplanade of Place Ville Marie (July 6, 2016)

Shikoku Island League Plus All-Stars vs Cuban National Baseball Team at Stade Fernand-Bédard de Trois-Rivière　(July 2, 2016)

Workshop for local instructors in Eastern North America, at the Montreal Hoshuko School (June 25-26, 2016)

National Day of Quebec (June 24, 2016)

Mr. and Mrs. Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec, and Mr. and Mrs. Yuji Kubo, Deputy Consul General

Official visit to Newfoundland and Labrador (June 21 to 23, 2016)

(left) H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, (centre) Mr. Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun to Mr. Victor L. Young, Honorary Consul General of Japan in St. John’s, at Memorial University

Visit to Quebec City of Mr. Shuichi Yamauchi, Vice Governor of Kyoto
Signature of “une entente de collaboration entre le Québec et la préfecture de Kyoto” (May 27, 2016)

Mr. Shuichi Yamauchi, Vice Governor of Kyoto and Mr. Philippe Couillard, Premier of Quebec

O-Hanami Picnic under the Flowering Crab-apple Trees and Japanese Sake/food tasting at the Japanese Garden of the Montreal Botanical Garden (May 22, 2016)

30th annual information meeting for the Consular corps of Quebec (May 12, 2016)

Entrance ceremony at the Montreal Hoshuko School (April 2, 2016)

“Rendez-vous Espace Japon” (March 19, 2016)

Thanks to financial support from the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund as well as Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (formerly Daishowa), “Carrefour Japon” was established inside the Library of Laval University in 1993. After a period of inactivity, it officially reopened as “Espace Japon” last October in the presence of Mr. Denis Brière, Rector of Laval University, H. E. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada, and Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General of Japan in Montreal.

On March 19, 2016, to mark the reopening, the “Rendez-vous Espace Japon” was co-organized by the Library of Laval University and the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal, with support from the Japanese Association of Commerce and Industry. In the morning, about 80 participants experienced many aspects of Japanese culture, including Origami and Furoshiki workshops, and tea ceremony demonstrations. In the afternoon, Mr. Takehiro Kanaya, former Japanese language teacher at Montreal University gave a lecture titled “Comment dit-on « Je t’aime » en japonais”, followed by an introduction to Japanese Sake and a tasting.

We hope that “Espace Japon” will continue to be one of the major locations to promote Japanese culture in Quebec City.

Graduation ceremony at the Montreal Hoshuko School (March 12, 2016)

Exchange of New Year’s Greetings with Ms. Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and responsible for the Laurentides region (January 19, 2016)

Crédit photo: Philippe Renault
© Gouvernement du Québec

Presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to Ms. Masami Gauvin, Representative of the “Association d’amitié Québec-Japon” (January 17, 2016)

A Certificate of Commendation was presented to Ms. Masami Gauvin, Representative of the “Association d’amitié Québec-Japon”, by Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General of Japan in Montreal, on the occasion of their 17th New Year’s Luncheon on January 17, 2016 at Laval University.

The Certificate of Commendation is given to an individual who, or an organization which, contributes to the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Canada, through collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal. Ms. Masami Gauvin received the Certificate in recognition of her distinguished service as Representative of the “Association d’amitié Québec-Japon” for more than fifteen years.

Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General, mentioned in his speech that Ms. Gauvin’s　contribution is much appreciated, as well as the association itself, which has helped to strengthen the relations between Japan and Quebec through their activities, for example donating a thousand paper cranes to the Japanese Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden on the occasion of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.

We hope that future activities organized by the “Association d’amitié Québec-Japon” will continue to promote friendship between Japan and Canada.

2015 Emperor’s Birthday National Day Reception (November 27, 2015)

Ms. Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and responsible for the Laurentides region, Mr. Denis Coderre, Montreal Mayor, and Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, President of the ICAO Council, attended among over 330 guests.

During the reception, various events to promote Japan were organized and well appreciated by the guests. The followings are some of the examples of the events.

Japanese Food Promotion: Service of Sushi, Japanese canapes and Sake. Sake presentation by a Sake sommelier.
Ikebana Exhibition: by representatives of four schools of Ikebana International, Montreal Section.
Music: National Anthems of Japan and Canada, as well as Japanese BGM played by a local group “ICHIGOSAN”.
Japan Tourism Promotion: in collaboration with the Japan National Tourism Organization and Japanese enterprises.

Ms. Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and responsible for the Laurentides region	Mr. Denis Coderre, Montreal Mayor	Mr. Hideaki Kiramitsu, Consul General	Ms. Naoko Ueda, Representative of Japan to the Council of ICAO
Ikebana Exhibition
Sake presentation by a Sake sommelier	Group of musicians “ICHIGOSAN”	Japan Tourism Promotion

Presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to Ms. Sonia Dandaneau, Cultural Officer of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden (September 15, 2015)

On September 15, 2015, a Certificate of Commendation was presented to Ms. Sonia Dandaneau, Cultural Officer of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden, by Mr. Hideaki Kuramitsu, Consul General of Japan in Montreal, at his residence and in the presence of Mr. Claude Gagné, President of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion Foundation, and Mr. René Pronovost, Director of the Montréal Botanical Garden.

The Certificate of Commendation is given to an individual who, or an organization which, contributes to the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Canada, through collaboration with the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal. Ms. Sonia Dandaneau received the Certificate in recognition of her distinguished service in the promotion of Japanese Culture over more than a decade.

Ms. Dandaneau commented that she was honored to be granted this Certificate, and wishes to do her best in continuing to share Japanese culture in Montreal.

We hope that future activities organized by the Japanese Garden and Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden will continue to strengthen the ties friendship between Japan and Canada.

Sports Festival at the Montreal Hoshuko School (September 12, 2015)

Matsuri-Japon at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal (August 15, 2015)

Opening Ceremony

Consulate’s Kiosk

Arashi Daiko Performance

Otakuthon at Palais des congrès (August 7 to 9, 2015)

Consulate’s Kiosk	Japanese Traditional Dance Workshop	Ikebana Workshop
Tea ceremony demonstration	Yukata Workshop	(from left) Ms. Amanda Arrizza, President of Otakuthon, two cosplayers selected to represent Canada at the 2016 World Cosplay Summit, and H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony at the Japanese Garden of the Montréal Botanical Garden, and 　Montreal Symphony Orchestra Concert at Montreal Olympic Park to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima (August 5, 2015)

Showing in Hiroshima City.

Projet Genji Performance at Japan Night, Fantasia International Film Festival (August 1, 2015)

Farewell Reception for the 2015 JET Programme participants (July 31, 2015)

Origami Workshop at Orientalys Festival 2015 (July 24, 2015)

With representatives of the Japanese film “Miss Hokusai”, the opening film of Fantasia International Film Festival 2015 (July 16, 2015)

(2nd from right) Mr. Keiichi HARA, Director, (2nd from left) Ms. Miho MARUO, Screenwriter

Thousand Cranes made by students of Tateishi Junior High School, Ogoori City, Fukuoka, was given to the Japanese Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden (July 10, 2015)

Ms. Sonia DANDANEAU, Cultural Agent, Japanese Garden and Pavilion of the Montréal Botanical Garden

Visit to Quebec City (June 23, 2015)

Mr. Denis BRIÈRE, Rector of Laval University

Mr. Régis LABEAUME, Quebec Mayor

Baseball Game of the all-star team of the Shikoku Island League Plus vs the Aigles in Trois-Rivières (June 22, 2015)

The 6th World Naginata Championship (June 20, 2015)

Naginata Performance

Kendo vs Naginata Demonstration

With the representatives of Japan

(from left) Ms. Yasuko Kimura, Director of INF (International Naginata Federation), Mr. and Mrs. Kuramitsu, Consul General, Ms. Lorraine d’Artois, President of Canadian Naginata Federation, Ms. Kumiko Hashimoto, President of INF, H.E. Mr. Kenjiro Monji, Ambassador of Japan to Canada and his spouse

Courtesy Visit to Mr. Denis CODERRE, Mayor of Montreal (June 17, 2015)

Visit to Montreal of Mr. Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima (from June 9 to 12, 2015)

In front of the Peace Bell at the Japanese Garden of the Botanical Garden of Montreal	Visit of the Olympic Stadium	Mr. Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, naming Mayor Matsui the Honorary Citizen of the City of Montréal
“Resilient Cities: Adapting, Prevailing, Reinventing!” at the International Economic Forum of the Americas – Conference of Montreal	© Caroline Hayeur The Montreal Declaration was adopted at the “Living Together” summit

Opening Ceremony of Exhibition “Industrialisation et adaptabilité du logement au Japon 2015” presented by l'École d'architecture de l'Université de Montréal (May 28, 2015)

The 3rd JKA (Japan Karate Association) Canadian National Championship (May 17, 2015)

Mr. Yoshiaki HATTA, Deputy Consul General

The First Japanese Book Fair of the “Centre japonais de Québec” (April 18, 2015)