FORSYTH’S PERUVIAN NATIONAL DAY AT WESTIN HOTEL 1. Our new Peruvian Amb. Harold Forsyth, his wife Veronica, and politician Hirotaka Ishihara 2. Hisanaga and Takako Shimazu congratulate the hosting couple 3. El Salvador Amb. Martha Zelayandia and Israel Amb. Ruth Kahanoff 4. Members of the Metropolitan police force 5. Kyoko Spector and Croatian Amb. Drazea Hrastic 6. Moldovan Amb. and Mrs. Vasile Bumacov 1 2 7 3 4 5 9 6 8 11 10 12 NATIONAL AZABU BARBECUE 7. Mexican counsellor Armando Arriaga, his wife Serok, their daughter Antonia 8. Nomura Securities’ Gary Hyman, his wife Efrot 9. Healthy <strong>Tokyo</strong>’s Michael Bobrove with staff member Aki Asama (left) and project manager David Israelsson (right) 10. Akari Yamamoto, her daughters, Momoe and Anri 11. Tohokushinsha Pres. Tetsu Uemura, Fuji TV & Fuji Holdings Pres. and Mrs. Masaki Miyauchi 12. Tetsu, Nisshin Noodles Pres. Tohru and Mrs. Horinouchi, Armando 48 | OCTOBER <strong>2017</strong> | TOKYO WEEKENDER
lawyer Toshihiro Matsumaru. It was, as always, wonderful talking with Hisanaga and (sister of the emperor) Takako Shimazu as well as Kazuko Ito, the new president of Soka Gakkai’s Min-On Concert Association, and Hirotaka Ishihara, son of the former governor of <strong>Tokyo</strong> and Diet Member. If you’re into ethnic food, as I am, you'll know that Peruvian food has recently gained international popularity – and the Peruvian Embassy and Westin worked together on a bountiful, beautiful, delicious, and healthy buffet of Peruvian specialties. Healthaddict friends have introduced me to goji berries from China, chia seeds, and the grain quinoa which was used in a delicious Peruvian dessert that night. The hosting couple, Ambassador and Señora Forsyth, are a very international, sophisticated, outgoing couple. I’m sure they’ll like Japan, and Japan will like them. Our congratulations on their super celebration, and we wish them a long, happy, and successful posting here. JAMAICA 55TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION AT THE OKURA Jamaican Ambassador Clement Allicock, his wife Suzanne, and their family and staff hosted a reception at the Okura Hotel. The occasion was to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence Day. Thanks to Bob Marley’s music, the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt, the Jamaican bobsled team, the people of Jamaica, and their laid-back way of life, it’s a very popular country in Japan, especially with the younger generation. As you can see from the photos, they’re good-looking people and appreciate chic fashion. They’re also very talented, and I was thrilled to see two professional singers who know how to belt out pop music. One of them, Jhana Graham, opened the program with her renditions of the Jamaican and Japanese anthems. The other, Monique Dehaney, didn’t sing at the reception, but I’ve seen her perform before, and believe me she’s excellent. Ambassador Allicock is a great speaker and he had plenty of interesting things to say about his country in his welcome speech. I was also impressed with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei’s speech and toast. The buffet was first class with a variety of healthy salads, great curry, and of course, Jamaica’s famous jerk chicken. Ambassador Allicock is super busy with all kinds of colorful promos, and interesting people. These, of course, included a lot of cheering for Bolt who ran the day after the celebration. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with the sports legend a couple of years ago when he was with former Jamaican Ambassador Claudia Barnes when she was posted here. Hopefully we’ll continue to see a lot of him in the ad campaigns he does for ANA and Nissan. I’m sure that like another Jamaican legend – musician Bob Marley – he will continue to be a star as well. I enjoyed talking with Takei, the young and dynamic Japanese politician, as well as Junichi Hosogai, who’s one of the sponsors of the Jamaican bobsled team. Our congratulations on all the Jamaican events to celebrate many things Jamaican. NATIONAL AZABU CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BARBECUE One of the many special things that National Azabu does to get involved in the community is their popular barbecues. These are complimentary for VIP customers and are held in the supermarket’s parking lot several times a year. Mother Nature was kind on Sunday, September 10, and it was a beautiful day for the afternoon/ evening event and was crowded with a variety of guests. Healthy <strong>Tokyo</strong> had a booth and was giving out samples of energy bars, and Matcha Miracle Drink and Honest Bee staff kept busy explaining their grocery delivery services. Great food included Benito’s paella, barbecued steak, super sandwiches, and a salad bar. Kids had plenty to do with micro-scooters, catching noodles from a long bamboo shoot (nagashi somen), and trying games of chance. Entertainment included music by a New Orleans-style band, several vocalists, and a clown. For those looking for luxury, there was a beautiful Lamborghini on display. The party ended with several chefs working on a 60kg tuna – and there was delicious sashimi for everyone. It was a great get-together in every way. Congratulations to the Uemura family, the owners of National Azabu, and all of the great staff. And if you want to check a really great Halloween display that’s full of spooky good fun for kids and adults alike, drop by at National Azabu. They’ve gone all out this year. THIS & THAT <strong>October</strong> comes to an end with Halloween, which has become a major celebration here in <strong>Tokyo</strong> and beyond. But how did a custom brought to America by Irish immigrants get to Omotesando? The story goes back to the late 1970s, when one of the big American donut chains ran a Halloween promotion, giving a saucer decorated with trick-or-treaters to anyone who bought a dozen donuts. The chain’s Japanese stores had the same promotion, but had to come up with some explanation. So, Halloween was billed as a day to buy and eat donuts. And that's what it was for several years until marketers saw the possibility of expanding beyond donuts to candy, costumes and decorations. Now, Halloween is on its way to joining Christmas as a major Japanese commercial and social event. Keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny, who is likely to hop up soon to join Santa Claus and Jack-o’-Lantern. This year, <strong>October</strong> 31 has extra significance. It is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which is being commemorated worldwide not only by Protestants, but even by Catholics and people with no connection to those religions. Because Japan is so close to the International Date Line, among the world’s first events to mark the day will be here in <strong>Tokyo</strong>, when Maestro Robert Rÿker of the <strong>Tokyo</strong> Sinfonia will lead some 250 artists in a performance of Brahms’ German Requiem at the <strong>Tokyo</strong> Metropolitan Theater. Visit www.r500.co for information and tickets. Father Grimm, Bill, Bill Ireton, Shiga, and Dale Toriumi gathered to celebrate Bill’s birthday Marty Kuehnert, Horst, Hiroshi, and baseball great Randy Bass at the Ex Charo, Bill, Roberta, and Matthew Ireton with Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski, who were in <strong>Tokyo</strong> recently to promote John Wick 2 TOKYO WEEKENDER | OCTOBER <strong>2017</strong> | 49
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