Meeting with the Government of Paraguay !

by Kazu

Before the courtesy call on the government officer of the Republic of Paraguay, the delegation-head the Vice Governor of Hokkaido Mr. Yusuke NAKANO, the Speaker of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Noritoshi MURATA and his wife met Ambassador of Japan to Paraguay His Excellency Mr. ISHIDA.

He gave Hokkaido Delegation a briefing on the current situation of Paraguay and its relationship with Japan. We were surprised to hear that Paraguay was still receiving immigrants from overseas.

Then Vice Governor Nakano, Speaker Murata and his wife paid a courtesy call on Director General for Consular and Migration Affairs of Paraguay Mr. Livier, surrounded by the portraits of the former leaders of the country.

Our Friend in Asuncion, Paraguay !

by Kazu

Vice Governor of Hokkaido Mr. Yusuke NAKANO, Speaker of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Noritoshi MURATA  and his wife paid a courtesy call on Director General for Consular and Migration Affairs Mr. Livier.

After the resignation of the minister for Foreign Affairs in the Republic of Paraguay, it had been difficult to decide which officer should receive Hokkaido Delegation. We were so sorry for visiting them in spite of their tough situation.

But as Mr. Shirosawa the Honorary President of Paraguay-Hokkaido Society had already established good relationship with the President and other top brasses of the the government of Paraguay, we could meet Mr. Livier.

To the Venue of the 80th Anniversary Ceremony !

by Kazu

After paying a courtesy call on Director General for Consular and Migration Affairs
in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay, the Hokkaido Delegation headed to the venue of the ceremony to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the Immigration from Hokkaido to Paraguay.

Before the start of the Anniversary, the main guests were seated on the stage in the solemn atmosphere. After the long flight from Japan through Frankfurt, Germany and Sao Paulo, Brazil, the delegation members must have been tired and sleepy.

The delegation members of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly were seated in the front line and the second of the audience side. They did a god job in the ceremony and the reception even after the long flight and hard schedule. I really appreciate their consideration and cooperation.

Thailand King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok !

by Kazu

A delegation from Thailand King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok visited Hokkaido and paid a courtesy call on Vice Governor for Public Enterprises of Hokkaido Mr. Kodama. Thailand is one of the best friends of Japan and the people in Thailand love Hokkaido so much. They don't do backstabbing against Japan and we should keep good relationship with Thailand. Hokkaido has a friendship affiliation with Chiang Mai of Thailand.

Sun rise in Asuncion !

by Kazu

The countenances of Asuncion early in the morning was so nice and refreshing. I inhaled the cool air of the morning. It was the scenery from the gym of Hotel Sheraton Asuncion. Before jogging on the treadmill, I strolled around the balcony.

The city will grow more but the traffic jam and challenges should be solved for the better quality of lives in the city, I think. Some lights moving in the sky were from the redeye-flight from somewhere on this globe.

It has been four months and half since I took this photo in Asuncion. I can't believe that I was there on the opposite on this globe.
Soon after finishing workout in the gym, it was getting brighter and the beautiful sunrise could be seen.
Good start of the day ! 

At the end of the party !

by Kazu

I got the party started in Asuncion, Paraguay. In order to remind the imigrants from Hokkaido and their family of Japanese atmosphere,  I wore  Japanese traditional attire as MC of the party thrown by Hokkaido Prefectural Government, Hokkaido Legislative Assembly, Hokkaido Mayors Association, Hokkaido Association of Towns and Villages.

I hope they all remember the beauty of Japanese culture which put a premium on co-existing and harmony with nature. The characteristics of our culture is not distruction, invasion nor taking away from others.

To keep the identity of ourselves Japanese or immigrants from Japan and their descendants, such kinds of exchange and tie are so important, I think. Everybody seemed to have enjoyed the encounter in the party. Please check out the countenances of the participants on the photos.

Office of the President, Paraguay !

by Kazu

Speaker of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Noritoshi MURATA, his wife and Vice Governor of Hokkaido Mr. Yusuke NAKANO visited Ministerio de Relationes Exteriores, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in English. The colonial style design of the building reminded us the history of the country.

It may be expensive to keep this Paris white of the building but the brightness of the white building gave us the exotic atmosphere of the country and good reflection of sunshine from the roof..

Before our courtesy call on the Director General de Asuntos Consulares Senor Juan Ignacio Livieres, we met the interpreter and Livieres' staff.
We arrived at  the office building on time but without the leading by Police car and motor bicycle, we could not have reached the venue on time. Mr. Toshikazu SHIRASAWA, Honorary President of Paraguay Hokkaido Association worked wonders.

Wrap up and Next !

by Kazu

Above is the memorial photo of all the participants to the dinner hosted by Hokkaido Government and Hokkaido Legislative Assembly. I was convinced that this bond should be kept as long as we can. The immigrants from Hokkaido and their family need their identity derived from Hokkaido, Japan to fight against a variety of challenges and unfair situations.

Hotel Sheraton Asuncion did have so nice training gym available from 6:00 a.m. but I used it from 5:30 a.m. Some apples and bananas were placed on the table for quick energy charge. Bananas are best for that, I think.

Such night scenery could be seen from the gym. It was very calm early in the morning. Nobody was on the same floor other than me. I make a point of doing my routine training even in foreign country but it was the first time for me to use tread mill, avoiding the danger of jogging around outside of the building.

Table Speeches delivered for the 80th Anniversary !

by Kazu

One of the powerful and senior members of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly Mr. Noritomo Wada whose riding is Sapporo West District also extended his sincere words of appreciation and congratulatory speech. Former trainee from Paraguay to Nippon  Travel Agency Mr. Akikazu MORIKAI made remarks and promise to play a main role in the exchange with Hokkaido.

After coming back to Paraguay from Hokkaido, he had been and is still working for Nippon Travel Agency. He actually played an important role in receiving Hokkaido delegation this time.

Mayor of Shiranuka Town and Chair of Hokkaido Association of Towns and Villages Mr. Takao TANANO happily reffered his impression on Paraguay and extended the words of appreciation. He seemed to be really enjoying the conversation with the people in Paraguay.

For the 80th Anniversary of the Immigrants from Hokkaido !

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by Kazu

Typical Japanese cuisine including home-made fries, Otsukemono(Japanese pickled veggies), crockets were on the table. Plenty of beer, juice were consumed in that night.
The members of Hokkaido Delegation had to sleep enough for the event to be held the next day but they were enjoying the talk with ex- Hokkiado people.

Former Vice Governor of Hokkaido Mr. Osamu TAKAI also joined the delegation  as the Vice Chair of Sapporo Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Hokkaido Association of Towns and Villages dispatch the Chair Mr. Takao Tanano, current Mayor of Shiranuka Village. Hokkaido Association of City Mayors dispatched the Senior Advisor Mr. Shozo UENO.

Senior and powerful members of Hokkaido Legislative Assembly also joined the delegation as usual official visit to abroad. Most of them were the members of Hokkaido Brazil Friendship Group of Legislature. I was very happy to take care of them, particularly Speaker Muratya and his wife.

Feast with the descendants of the immigrants !

by Kazu

The members of Hokkaido Delegation must have been tired after the long flight and transit time but seemed to be enjoying the talk with the immigrants from Hokkaido and their family as if they got the second wing. Hokkaido delegation members were aware enough of their duty to encourage the Hokkaido-related people in Paraguay and keep the tie with them.

Some of the immigrants' family did not have a good command in Japanese but comparatively, Japanese language learning system and organization were well-maintained and their eagerness to learn Japanese seemed to be enthusiastic in Paraguay.

The President of Hokkaido Brazil-Paraguay Association in Hokkaido Mr. Tomoyoshi Michishita joined the Hokkaido Delegation and had been exerted his best efforts to maintain the good relationship with Brazil and Paraguay. He has frequently visited South America including Brazil and Paraguay so far.