Japan consulate hosts reception for Emperor Akihito’s birthday

Mayor Marian Tudela and Mrs. Hitoshi Kikuchi pose for a photo with United Filipino Organization officials and other guests.

The CNMI government joined the Consular Office of Japan in celebrating Emperor Akihito’s 81st birthday at the Hafadai Beach Hotel Wednesday night.

Both Japanese Consul Hitoshi Kikuchi and Gov. Eloy S. Inos affirmed the ties between Japan and the CNMI amidst Japan’s current economic turmoil.

Education officials from the Public School System and the Northern Marianas College smile for a photo at the emperor’s birthday reception Wednesday night.

“While the number of Japanese tourists have decreased, relations between the CNMI and Japan date back to more than a century ago, so the mutual affinity remains very strong. I personally believe we can continue to develop our ties, from friends to friends, for the years to come,” Kikuchi said.

He also promoted Japan as a place of study for CNMI students.

“In recent years, student exchanges between the CNMI and Japan have considerably expanded. Throughout this process I sincerely hope that the CNMI should focus more on universities in Japan for further study in the future,” he said, adding that Japan has many private and local scholarships to offer.

He talked about the sake ceremony to be performed that night, and how this “intangible cultural property” and others are enjoyed by many the world over.

“It is a pity that majority of the local CNMI residents just make a transit at the Narita International Airport to the U.S. mainland or other destinations. I would like to strongly encourage the people of the CNMI to visit Japan for sightseeing and other purposes,” he said.

He said Japan highly values its relationship with the CNMI, and that they look forward to working with the CNMI to make their ties even stronger.

CHC’s Esther Muna, DEQ’s David Rosario, and DCCA’s Laura Ogumoro and other guests enjoy the reception last Wednesday night.

On behalf of the CNMI, Inos extended birthday wishes to the emperor for a long and healthy life. The emperor and his wife visited the islands in 2005.

“We join the people of Japan in celebrating His Majesty’s birthday as well as the historic ties to continue to bind our people and our islands together,” he said.

“Although our Japanese tourism is declining, we are working hard to try to bring back out Japanese guests to our islands, and we’re spending a lot of resources to be able to do that.”

The reception was attended by more than 150 guests from the CNMI government, businesses, and the Japanese community. Emperor Akihito is the 125th emperor of Japan.

House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Mayor Marianne Tudela, the governor and Kikuchi led the sake ceremony after the honorary remarks.