The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and The Japan Society are pleased to co-present a Gala Dinner on Saturday, August 24, 2019, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan, the 35th anniversary of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and the 30th anniversary of The Japan Society. The Gala will be held at the Royal Ontario Museum.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado will be our distinguished guest and will give the evening’s keynote address. The evening will also feature special performances by Grammy-nominated pianist Makoto Ozone and Juno-nominated jazz vocalist Dione Taylor.
Photo of Makota Ozone, by Kobayashi Yamaha; Dione Taylor by Soular Productions
Further, the Order of Rising Sun will be presented to Ben Ciprietti, President of The Japan Society, for his service to Canada-Japan relations.
Proceeds from the Gala Dinner will support the Royal Ontario Museum's work on Japanese Art & Culture, including programming for the Prince Takamado Gallery, and Japan Festival Canada 2019.
Registration for the Gala Dinner is now closed.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Jordan Dupuis (416) 597-8040 x204
or
Kate Scullin (416) 597-8040 x206
Distinguished Guest
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado
Her Imperial Highness Princess Hisako Takamado was born in Tokyo and studied at Sacred Heart Girls’ School. When her father was posted to the U.S.A. and to the U.K., the family moved to these countries. She is a graduate of Cambridge University where her subjects were Chinese Studies, Archaeology and Anthropology. She married His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito in 1984 and they were blessed with three daughters. She is the Honorary Patron or President of many organisations including BirdLife International, the International Kyudo Federation and the Japan Football Association. Her hobbies are painting, birdwatching, photography, tennis and kyudo. She is the author of three children’s books including “Lulie the Iceberg” (Kodansha International), “Have Netsuke Will Travel” (Kodansha), a collection of bird photographs “Yori-Dori, Mi-Dori” amongst others.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado continues to maintain the strong connection to Canada established by HIH the late Prince Takamado, who attended Queen’s University from 1978 to 1981. Their third daughter, Mrs. Ayako Moriya (who renounced her imperial status after marrying a commoner), studied abroad at Camosun College and the University of British Columbia from 2013-2015.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Canada’s first diplomatic legation in Japan in 1929, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) has invited Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado to embark on a six-city tour of Canada in August, visiting institutions, organizations and community groups that have worked to strengthen bonds between Canada and Japan, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada-Japan relations, and commemorating 90 years of friendship and cooperation. HIH Princess Takamado will visit Toronto, Ottawa, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.
Proceeds will benefit:
Japanese Art & Culture at the Royal Ontario Museum. The ROM is home to Canada’s largest collection of Japanese art and culture, with over 10,000 objects and works of art, some of which are on view in the country’s only gallery dedicated to Japanese art and culture, the Prince Takamado Gallery. The collections and the gallery are overseen by Canada’s first curator who is solely in charge of Japanese art and culture. Your support will enhance a reinvigorated program of Japan at the Museum.
Japan Festival CANADA 2019, the largest Japanese Cultural Festival in North America, will proudly return to Mississauga Celebration Square on August 24-25, bringing Japanese food, culture and technologies to Canada and to the world. This year marks the 90th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Canadian diplomatic legation in Japan; and Japan Festival CANADA 2019 is celebrating the further establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan by commemorating this special milestone together with a large crowd of attendees.
Presented by:
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is a not-for-profit organization focused on Canada’s relations with Asia. Our mission is to be Canada’s catalyst for engagement with Asia and Asia’s bridge to Canada. APF Canada is dedicated to strengthening ties between Canada and Asia with a focus on expanding economic relations through trade, investment and innovation; promoting Canada’s expertise in offering solutions to Asia’s climate change, energy, food security and natural resource management challenges; building Asia skills and competencies among Canadians, including young Canadians; and improving Canadians’ general understanding of Asia and its growing global influence.
The Japan Society is a national organization of corporations, professional firms, organizations, societies, associations, academic institutions, government departments and individuals which is focused on:
• Enabling Canadian and Japanese business executives, professionals, academic leaders and government representatives to meet on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual and collective interest;
• Furthering strong and viable economic relations between Canada and Japan;
• Enabling Members to acquire greater cultural understanding and the ability to establish long-lasting relationships; and
• Supporting business, educational and cultural exchanges.
