ジャパンフェスティバル2006 2006年4月8日在ヒューストン日本国総領事 加茂佳彦
Konnichiwa, Minasan: Welcome to Japan Festival. Wow. What a wonderful weather we are having today!
It is the privilege for the Japanese consul general in Houston to be invited to participate in this great cultural fair of a more than decade long Houston tradition called Japan Festival. Japan Festival takes place early April every year to celebrate the arrival of spring when cherry-blossoms are in full bloom in Japan.
This is my second Japan Festival. I am quite pleased to note that this year has more programs that last year. I am certain that we are going to have a more fun-packed, more crowded and more successful Japan Festival this year.
So I would like to thank all members of the organizing committee for their dedicated work. Without their hard work and good spirit, it would be impossible for us to enjoy Japan Festival today. The Japan America Society of Houston, the Japanese Business Association, and the Japanese Association of the Greater Houston, were most instrumental in putting things together for the Festival. The city of Houston, HermannPark, and many other generous supporters and sponsors! Thank you very much for your support and cooperation.
Having this said, I wish to commend the volunteers both American and Japanese for their commitment and contribution. It is this volunteerism that makes Japan Festival truly unique and great. Putting on a Japan Festival could be compared to making a home-made sushi. Both require team effort, organizational skills and passion for pleasing people. The product may be a little bit chaotic but it brings a lot of fun. Or we may say that Japan Festival reveals what the Japanese community is all about. We are very good at getting a job done to our hearts’ content. I take pride in the Japanese and the Japanese-American communities in Houston which through their community activities make important contributions to making Houston fuller and richer.
Inclusiveness is another key word associated with Japan Festival. American people are most welcome. Nowadays, Japan cool cultural items are Japan’s most competitive export commodities to the overseas markets. I am sure that Japan Festival offers a wide range of new founds and surprises even to Japan enthusiasts. Please come and check them out! Enjoy yourselves and come back to HermannPark again tomorrow. You will be having an even more exciting Japan Festival.
Have a great day!