Jul 7

Event: The Emperor and Empress of Japan’s Visit to Canada

Celebrity, Events Add Comment (1)

JetWit job poster Stephen Palanik (Fukushima Ken, 2004-08) learned (a little lately) of the Emperor and Empress of Japan’s visit to Canada and thought that it might be of interest to former JETs across Canada. Stephen is a translator based in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka Ken, and he periodically posts job listings and event information for JET alumni.

The past, present and future will come together as Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visit Canada this summer at the invitation of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor-General of Canada. Their Majesties will travel through Canada from July 3 to 14. Excitement is building on both sides of the Pacific in anticipation of this rare occasion.

This will be the first time for Her Majesty the Empress to be in Canada. His Majesty visited Canada in 1953 as the Crown Prince of Japan on the way to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in England.

Click the following links for coverage from:

The Embassy of Japan in Ottawa
The Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto
The Consulate-General of Japan in Montreal
The Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary
The Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver

Draft Itinerary of the Visit

July 3 (Fri）to 8 (Wed) Ottawa & Pontiac, QB
July 8 (Wed) to 10 (Fri) Toronto
July 10 (Fri) to 12 (Sun) Victoria
July 12 (Sun) to 14 (Tue）Vancouver

Detailed Itinerary (From July 7th)

July 7th, AM:
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Peacekeeping Monument.
Visit the Chamber of the House of Commons and Senate.
PM:
Luncheon hosted by The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate and Mrs. Ann Kinsella (Parliament Hill).
Return Reception hosted by His Excellency Tsuneo Nishida Ambassador of Japan and Mrs. Keiko Nishida (National Gallery).
Evening:
Dinner with Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and Jean-Daniel Lafond (Japanese Ambassador’s Official Residence).
Night:
Stay at Rideau Hall (Ottawa).

July 8th, AM:
Farewell Greeting with Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and Jean-Daniel Lafond (Rideau Hall).
Special Event of 80th Anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations (Lester B. Pearson Building).
PM:
Luncheon hosted by The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ms. Christine Donoghue (Lester B. Pearson Building). Departure from Ottawa (Macdonald-Cartier International Airport).
Arrive in Toronto (Lester B. Pearson International Airport).
Meeting with the distinguished persons concerned with Canada-Japan relations (Residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto).
Night:
Stay at Royal York Hotel (Toronto).

July 9th, AM:
Visit the Hospital for Sick Children.
Audience with Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Mrs. David C. Onley (Queen’s Park).
PM:
Luncheon hosted by Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Mrs. David C. Onley (Queen’s Park).
Audience with Premier of Ontario and Mrs. Dalton McGuinty.
Her Majesty the Empress: Visit Osborne Collection (Toronto Public Library).
Meeting with the Japanese-Canadian community and Japanese nationals in Canada (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre).
Night:
Stay at Royal York Hotel (Toronto).

July 10th, AM:
Visit Momiji Seniors Centre.
PM:
Departure from Toronto (Lester B. Pearson International Airport).
Arrive in Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport).
Visit to Richmond Olympic Oval (Vancouver Olympic Site).
Departure from Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport).
Arrive in Victoria (Victoria International Airport).
Audience with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Mrs. Steven L. Point (Government House).
Evening:
Dinner with the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Mrs. Steven L. Point (Government House).
Night:
Stay at Government House.

July 11th, AM:
Audience with the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia (Parliament Buildings).
Converse with the public (Parliament Buildings).
PM:
Welcoming Luncheon co-hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Premier of British Columbia (Government House).
Meeting with Japanese-Canadian community and Japanese Nationals in Canada (Government House).
Night:
Stay at Government House (Victoria).

July 12th, AM:
Farewell greeting with Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Steven L. Point (Government House).
Visit to the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS).
PM:
Luncheon with representatives of IOS.
Departure from Victoria (Victoria International Airport).
Arrival in Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport).
Night:
Stay at Pan Pacific Hotel (Vancouver).

July 13th, AM:
Visit to the University of British Columbia (UBC).
PM:
Luncheon with professors of UBC (Mackenzie House, President’s Residence).
Visit to the Nikkei Place.
Night:
Stay at Pan Pacific Hotel (Vancouver).

July 14th, AM:
Reception co-hosted by His Excellency Tsuneo Nishida, Ambassador of Japan and Mr. Seiichi Otsuka, Consul-General of Japan in Vancouver (Convention Centre).
PM:
Departure from Vancouver (Vancouver International Airport).