Tokyo Weekender July 2016

People,
Parties, Places
TOKYO’S LONGEST RUNNING SOCIETY PAGE WITH BILL HERSEY
So much happening here in old Edo – and so many notes on many
of the happenings around town I’m even further behind than
usual. We’re living in what’s got to be one of the most dynamic
cities in the world, and I’m sure most of you love it as much
as I do. The closer we get to the Olympics in 2020, the more changes
we’re going to see. As I’m sure you know, things are already changing
– almost daily. Here are a few things you have probably noticed. La
Foret in Harajuku just opened a variety of really cool menswear shops
– they’re very trendy and chic.
Shibuya’s busier than ever. Don Quixote just opened their megastore
right across the street from the super-popular Segafredo café and
next to H&M’s always
busy fashion building.
Believe me, the beautiful
aquariums with
their marvelous variety
of tropical fish at the
new Don Quixote in
the huge white building
make it well worth
checking out. You and
your kids will love it.
Over Roppongi
way, they’ve cut down
all the beautiful trees
on the corner land
where the late great
Dr. Aksenoff had his
international clinic.
Friends in urban development
tell me the
owner (Mori) really
has dynamic plans for
that area and many
other places in Roppongi
as well. I also
hear that several
property owners behind
the run-down
Tokyo flashback: Bill with the late great
actor Roger Moore and his wife
Roi Building have finally sold their property on the street behind the
Roi and development companies will be making really big changes
there as well. As Weekender founder Corky Alexander used to say, “I
don’t want to break anyone’s rice ball,” but that property really needs
cleaning up.
While you’re in Roppongi, be sure and check out the new Starbucks
in Midtown Plaza. There’s seating for about 20 people on the
first floor where you can relax and enjoy watching the passing parade
of interesting people. There are also several tables/benches outside,
and a chic room on the second floor that has comfortable seating for
about 60 people.
A great Belgian restaurant, Le Pain Quotidien, moved in where
Starbucks used to be Midtown Plaza. You’ll like the rustic décor, the
service is good, and the food is healthy and tasty. You’ll be amazed at
the variety they offer, and their prices are reasonable. They also have
an in-house bakery – try the organic Baker’s Basket. I really feel you’ll
like this new eatery and it’s going to be very popular. That’s enough this
and that for this month’s column. Time to move on to Tokyo’s always
busy social scene.
PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL DAY AND
AMBASSADOR AMIL’S SAYONARA
The National Day event was at the Okura Hotel and his sayonara
was at his sixth floor penthouse in Mita. Farukh was very popular,
and both of the events were wall-to-wall people from all walks of
life. I hadn’t gotten
to know him that
long. He was very
international, very
intelligent, fun,
outgoing and cool.
He’s in Switzerland
now as his country’s
ambassador to the
UN. He’ll really be
missed by his many
friends here.
ARAB JAPAN
DAY GALA
EVENING
Japan went all out
when our Arab
friends held their
annual Arab Japan
Day 2017 at the
Imperial Hotel on
April 4. Security,
which matched
the world’s best,
included dozens of
police cars, lots of
motorcycle officers, several busloads of uniformed officers, and top
SPs (special police).
Many of Japan’s top politicians attended, including Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe, who gave a very meaningful speech. There were also
remarks by Keizo Morikawa, chairman of the Japan Arab Association,
and a gift presentation to the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. She, as
I’m sure many of you know, studied in Cairo and speaks fluent Arabic.
The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Kuwaiti Ambassador
Al-Otaibi.
Prior to the reception, there was a symposium on sustainable energy
and water security. This was attended by many experts on this
subject. The evening’s program included performances of both Arabic
and Japanese music, a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent transported
from Saudi Arabia, an exhibition of everyday articles inside the tent,
and an exhibition and demonstration of Arabic calligraphy. It was all
46 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER