Tokyo Weekender - February 2016

The late great David Bowie and Bill first met
at a Kuwait Embassy party in the early 1970s
Tokyo’s Longest Running
Thanks to deadline problems—which many of us have to
deal with—and the busy holiday schedule, I had to get this
issue’s PPP to the Weekender office in early January. The magazine
staff are always super busy, but this year more than ever.
In addition to getting the regular issues out, they were all in the process
of getting ready and moving the Weekender office into their new digs at
PR/Marketing powerhouse Sunny Side Up’s big and beautiful offices in
Sendagaya. I don’t know how, but as always they managed to get things
done and still have prime time to spend with their great Japanese wives
and beautiful kids during their very hectic years and schedules.
HILTON-WEEKENDER-BILL HOLIDAY ORPHANS’ PARTY
Hate to start out with a back event but with my Weekender and Hilton
Hotel annual orphans’ party for the holidays in mid-December, printer
deadlines, and all kinds of special events, couldn’t as always get the rundown
and photos to the printer for the January issue. Thanks for your
understanding on this.
This was the 18th year for us to do the party for the 50 aged 5 to 12
kids from six different orphanages. The institutions involved went all
out to bring really energetic fun boys and girls who all really got into
the party mood for the day.
Once again good friends—who included a few ambassadors, many
diplomats’ wives and generous giving wives of business leaders from
both the Japanese and foreign communities here—took time out of
their super-busy schedules to join us at the Hilton for a really fun
afternoon with the awesome kids. We’ve held the party for the last 17
years in the hotel’s white marble lounge. That venue has become so
popular with its spectacular sweets buffet it’s completely booked every
day. We did this year’s party in the large and tasteful St. George’s Bar.
I was a little concerned but the area has a warm homey atmosphere
Society Page with Bill Hersey
and all of our Santa’s helpers really thought it was perfect. Hilton’s PR
Director Momoko Gonohe, her staff and many other Hilton people had
really decorated the venue in a colorful Christmas mood, and there was a
bountiful buffet that featured all of the kids’ favorite foods. Other Santa’s
helpers who mixed and had fun with the kids as well as the adults there
that day included Hilton Tokyo’s community-minded GM Mike Williamson,
who took time to mix with and meet many of the volunteers, including the
Guardian Angels, as well as make a welcome speech. Others included a
face painter, a balloon artist, our regular Dutch Santa Claus Rene Bosman,
talented MC Matthew Ireton, who led the kids in singing Christmas carols,
super talent Steve Haynes who was surrounded by new young fans who
were really in awe over his Rudolph the Reindeer costume. I’d also like to
say thanks to sponsors Sony Pictures, Gaga Tohokushinsha, 20th Century
Fox, Warner Brothers, Disney, Lufthansa and Hertz.
The only problem was one of our staff lost a photo chip, and we’re
missing several important super volunteers pics. These included Matthew
Ireton who always helps so many, Mrs. Hassan, the wife of the Bahrain
Ambassador, Mary Aida and super chic Kyoko Fujisawa, wife of the head
of Yodobashi Camera: We also want to thank the many Ambassadors’
wives and others who were busy that day but did send some great gifts for
the child they were assigned.
OMAN NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION—PALACE HOTEL
Thanks to all concerned to celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman Amb.
Khalid Al-Muslahi and his wife Abeer hosted a midday reception in the
Yamabuki Room at the Palace Hotel. The hosting couple are very popular
and there was a big turnout for their celebration. Khalid is a very professional
diplomat—a little quiet, but very outgoing and personable. Abeer is
a live wire who is really full of energy.
The special couple has children, including one daughter Iman with
FEBRUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com