Unique opportunities with my work in Tokyo

One of the really fun things for me in my work in Tokyo is the opportunities that I have to do things for the school that get me into worlds that would otherwise be totally inaccessible.... like the Tokyo Canadian Ambassador's residence:

On June 30 (1 day before Canada Day) the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of Japan co-hosted with the embassy a glittering gala event to celebrate Canada's 150 anniversary. This event had 400 invited guests including CEOs of some of the biggest Canadian companies in Tokyo (Air Canada, ManuLife, Bombardier etc.) as well as the top military brass as well as two ministers from the Abbe government. This was a "Canadian Who is who" of Tokyo event.

Through the years I have developed quite a few connections at the embassy and the CCCJ who knew some of the good work we do at our school so I was delighted to be asked to have one of our students sing Oh Canada in English, French (!!) and Japanese. Though it was one day before exams our student was thrilled to be part of the event. She worked very hard over the month of June to learn the French and memorize all parts. 

After the sound check we hung out with some "friends" in the library waiting to perform:

I was able to arrange for her home room teacher to be there to film...

and her parents could also be there for this special event.

The staff at the embassy were so kind; they had one of the staff assigned to us to ensure we knew exactly where to be when. 

After a month of practice the big event started. Our student was warned that, with 400 people in attendance, there might be quite a bit of background chatting so not to take it personally. 

Our student and our school were introduced by the MC...

And our grade 12 student poured her heart and soul into the song. Listen to her voice... and how totally quiet the entire room is; she was great!!

After Oh Canada, there were several speeches (here one of Abe's Ministers) and each speaker praised our student for her song. 

Afterwords, in the garden around the pool and the traditional Japanese garden there were tents set up with delicacies from every province in Canada. It was quite lovely because the Jamaican Ambassador (the gentleman wearing glasses and short cropped hair that appears in the video) came rushing up to congratulate our singer and gave her his business card. 

During that time the embassy arranged for special photo shoots for our student with the Ambassador and the two Abbe Ministers...

And the parents and me... quite fun!

After the photo shoot I had the opportunity to introduce her to some of my contacts including the retired Japanese ambassador to Canada and Pakistan who was also the interpreter for the Japanese PM for meetings with Reagan, Ford, Nixon and Bush as well as the Emperor and Empress when they visited Canada. He is a fascinating man!

Part of the entertainment included a fascinating Rakugo monologue (see here for more about this art) performed by the only non-Japanese artist ever to have passed the Rakugo exams. He happens to be from Ontario.

Two days later it was off to the Regency Hyatt to present to a crowd of 110 Cram-school directors and teachers about our school. 

I find it a bit humorous to look around the room and see my image plastered on huge posters! 

After my speech part of my job is to hand out my business card and meet many of the guests (who are uni-lingual Japanese; today I was lucky to have my office assistant there to help fill in my broken Japanese.)

The highlight of the event was the fashion show to demonstrate the new school uniforms for next year when the school is going co-ed. Check out the professional models:

Then I raced back to school to run a staff meeting for the rest of the day. 

These activities really provide a nice way to get out of our hot and stuffy apartment to spend a rainy and humid monsoon season day in Tokyo!