Description

On the occasion of a visit to Canada by a distinguished delegation, from Japan, the Canadian International Council-Toronto Branch and the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto are pleased to present a panel discussion on the Japan-Canada relationship. The Japanese delegation is visiting Canada with the aim of further developing Canadians’ understanding about Japan via grass-roots exchanges. With the support of the Prime Minister’s office in Japan, a team of Japanese citizens of various backgrounds, led by a former high-ranking Japanese diplomat, will share their perspectives and encourage open discussions with Canadians.

In addition to the visiting delegation, we are pleased to advise that Ms. Takako Ito, Consul-General of Japan in Toronto, will join us for this event.

Speakers’ Biographies

Shotaro Oshima (Delegation Leader) is the Former Economic Minister of the Japanese Embassy in the U.S. and Former Ambassador of Japan to South Korea and Saudi Arabia. He also served as Japan’s Permanent Representative to the WTO. He is currently the Chairman of the Institute for International Economic Studies and a Visiting Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.

Mitsuko Takahashi worked as a communications manager at Boeing and UPS for over 20 years, and spent more than 10 years living in India, France, Russia and Thailand. In 2015, she established her own company to help Japanese companies go global. She will address challenges that she faced as a female business executive and changes taking place in Japanese society.

In addition to our panel members, two other members of the visiting Japanese delegation will share their experiences living in Canada and abroad.

Rick Liu was born in Taiwan but spent most of his teenage years in Vancouver. He has lived in Tokyo since 2011 and currently works in a Tokyo-based bank. He will share the cultural differences he has encountered in Japan and how Japan became his home.

Rie Sato is a university student in business law in Tokyo. She has lived in Australia and currently works at a travel agency, organizing a program for students studying abroad. She will speak about the “kimono” as a traditional costume and symbol of family.

Registration

Registration via Eventbrite

CIC Members: $20
Students: $10
Non Members: $30
(includes reception)

Guests of the Japanese Consulate are invited to register at the CIC member rate.