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Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue Reception Remarks

October 26, 2011

Yoshi Kamo

Good evening. Konbanwa.

As you see, the door to the dining room is closed now. I want to open it sooner, but the door won’t open until I get done the program for today’s event. So may I start? Thank you for coming. My wife and I wish to extend our hearty welcome and aloha to you all!  I am Yoshi Kamo, Japan’s Consul General to Honolulu, more importantly, your local host this evening. It is our honor and privilege to have a chance to organize a reception in your honor at our home.

  You came to Honolulu from the U.S. mainland and Northeast Asia to participate in the 22^nd Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue. I know this is an important international conference to which each nation sends their high-powered delegation. I know you were engaged in intense discussions all day long today. I know you will have another full session tomorrow. But I would say that your brain needs some rest. So I hope you will take advantage of this social gathering where you will find good food, drink and company.

Taking this opportunity I would like to convey my deepest appreciation through you to the people and government that you are representing for their outpouring of sympathy and support for the victims and survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami which hit Tohoku, Japan, in mid March this year. The local people there showed remarkable composure and resilience. They made us all Japanese very proud. Could I take a moment of silence now for the victims?

Thank you for your thoughtful cooperation. With your encouragement and invaluable and generous support, we have made substantial progress in our work of recovery and reconstruction. Please remember that Japan has been back and open for business and tourism.

I said I am your local host. To be precise, I am sort of a general manager for this particular event. The true sponsor of this event is the Japanese government, or should I say, the Japanese delegation. As a general manager, I want to make house-keeping announcements. We serve Japanese sake and other drinks at the bar counter in the entrance hall. The food is served in the dining room, first come first serve basis. So please help yourself. Men’s rest room is located near the staircase down the hall .Women’s rest room is just behind this wall. So please make yourself at home.

Last but not least, the Honolulu APEC is just around the corner. I want to thank the United States for hosting APEC and this Northeast Asia Dialogue here in Hawaii. They made excellent venue selections. I am confident that Hawaii will prove to be a great place for meeting people and getting things done.