Korean Friends!

by Kazu

I was struck by the leadership and the dedication of the Consul General of Korea in Sapporo City.  In the aftermath of Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Area Earthquake, the Consul General of Korea in Sapporo

started to take action to make sure that Korean tourists and residents in Hokkaido were in safe place and sound. One of the staff members from Korea did a lot for the same purpose. I really appreciate their contribution and cooperation. Besides, a fluent Korean and English speaker in the municipality of Chitose did a lot to accommodate the foreign tourists and residents including Korean people in the evacuation center provided by the city. Needless to say, our coordinator for international exchange from Seoul made her ability with her colleagues from the U.S.A. and Heilongjiang, China.

Friends from Kuala Lumpur!

by Kazu

I am very pleased to hear that  the capital city of Malaysia and its people are so interested in Hokkaido and establishing a special relationship with Hokkaido.

This time, the delegation from Kuala Lumpur explained about their attractive city and I did about Hokkaido Island, pparticularly from the viewpoint of tourism and investment.


We presented a photo book of Hokkaido and they gave us the crystal glass object with the name of the city. I hope they are enjoying their stay in Hokkaido extremely.

My friends in Sapporo 2 !

by Kazu

As you may find, his name is Noboru. I do not refer to his family name but absolutely, he was one of my best superiors.

 He said he liked my wife so much that he almost gave me the flower of rose that had been presented to him from the former subordinate. Needless to say, the subordinate almost wept and he  thought again.

Have you ever heard about the radio program broadcasted by FM Northwave "Sabaai Sabbai Thailand" ?
For the first time, I met the personality of the radio program Ms. Yasuko JONO.

She visits Thailand once a two or three months, she said. She will join the Hokkaido delegation to Chiang Mai and Bangkok with us. I am so looking forward to our business jaunt to the country of smile with her.

Friends in Hokkaido 1!

by Kazu

For my former immediate supervisor, the party was thrown on October 19(Fri.). His former superior and staff members got together to celebrate his retirement and thank him enough.

He delivered so nice speech to thank enough to his former superior and subordinates. He must be the protagonist on the stage that night but other participants might have spoken much more than him.

He was so pleased with the "Good-job & thanks" message" from his "friends".  Yes, even after we got out of the relationship as superior and subordinate, we will continue the reunion.

Friends from Perak, Malaysia 4 ！

by Kazu

For the future of each region, we may establish a good relationship between Perak and Hokkaido.

Once the regions reached such creative agreement for the future, these members should be remembered as the first contributors to the relationship. Please do not forget these members.

Friends from Perak, Malaysia 3！

by Kazu

The gentleman above was from the tourism authority of Perak. He did a good job to let us know about their state Perak so much, particularly, about the tourism spot in Perak.

She is Gloria who joined the delegation this time and previous delegation and played the role as an interpreter.

Pua-san is the key man who took care of the parliamentarians last time and this time. I think he is the real counterpart of me forthe future of Perak and Hokkaido.

Friends from Perak, Malaysia 2!

by Kazu

These are the full members of the delegation from Perak  State of Malaysia. They may be nicest and most diligent among the delegations that visited Hokkaido this year.

Please do not ask me about other delegations from other countries that visited Hokkaido this year.

This sign was made for the previous delegation from Perak and they brought it again to Hokkaido. I was eager to put the star mark on the sign to show how many times they visited Hokkaido.

Friends from Perak, Malaysia!

by Kazu

Perak of Malaisia dispatched a delegation to Hokkaido to look into the possibility of friendship affiliation between the regions. They are the third mission from Perak region.

Considering the change of administration in Malaysia, it can be said that they are the first mission under the leadership of　His Excellency Mahathir bin Mohamad.

This time, they visited Hokkaido for the promotion of Perak. It's a pity that the autumnal foliage is not at the peak of its beauty but I hope they can enjoy the beautiful season enough during their stay.

35ar, Japan-Sweden Art Exhibition 9!

by Kazu

The bird-man-like art work above is titled "Aviator" was made by one of the former apprentices taught by the Swedish artists who visited Hokkaido.

It was placed near the entrance of the craft Hall. This art work title "Cone-joy" was also made by Ms. Anna Hoggren.
Mr. Jonas Kihlberg made this curious glass art titled "Untitled" as below.

35ar, Japan-Sweden Art Exhibition 8!

by Kazu

Again, those art works can be seen in Sapporo Art Park until November 18(Sun.) and in Embassy of Sweden Kingdom from December 4(Tue.) to 19(Wed.) but please do not miss the chance to encounter the Swedish winds in Sapporo.
Above is the Necklace titled "Clear Cone-joy" made by Ms. Anna Hoggren.

I can not understand enough so-called "Art" but sometimes I feel like to be with them for lifelong. When I feel such emotion, they might be touching my heart and ease the pain. Is that the function of art ?

35ar, Japan-Sweden Art Exhibition 7!

by Kazu

I am so sorry for failing to explain about "35ar". It means 35 years in Swedish and also the path Swedish Center Foundation had stepped forward.

Why Swedish artists are so creative ? But the representative of the artists who have a strong bond with Japan including Hokkaido said that he was struck by the Japanese craftsmanship and their works. 

Inspiring each other, the artists of two countries may get new ideas and concepts by leaps and bounds. The possibility created by the exchange is heading "to the sky" which is the title of the work below.