A Friendship Across the Pacific

A Friendship Across the Pacific

Hope’s connection with Japan reaches across an ocean, and comes to life when people gather.

On September 15, Mayor Victor Smith and District representative Danielle Laporte attended a reception aboard JS Kashima in North Vancouver, celebrating friendship between Canada and Japan and Hope’s sister-city relationship with Izu.

The evening brought shared food and sake, a drumming performance and conversations with guests and crew. Mayor Smith also enjoyed a reunion with Yoshiaki Takahashi, Consul-General of Japan in Vancouver, marking their third meeting.

They had the honour of meeting two pioneering women: Rear Admiral Ryoko Azuma, the first woman to command a warship squadron in Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, and Queenie Choo, the first Chinese-Canadian woman appointed an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy.

Thank you to our hosts and the Training Squadron for the warm welcome. Fair winds and a safe voyage! ⚓