IMPERIAL WISHES. Hundreds of guests gathered at the Portland Art Museum last month in celebration of Emperor Akihito’s birthday. Consul General Akio Egawa (left) and his wife Mayumi Egawa pose with David Simon (third from left), acting consul of Mexico in Portland, and his wife Lilian Simon. (Photo courtesy of the Consulate-General of Japan in Portland)

From The Asian Reporter, V18, #1 (January 1, 2008), page 10.

By Josephine Bridges

On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 12, the Consulate-General of Japan held a reception to celebrate Emperor Akihito’s birthday. While there have been numerous celebrations of the Emperor’s birthday in Portland in previous years, Consul General Akio Egawa quipped that the reception venue had been changed to the Portland Art Museum’s Fields Ballroom because "we wanted to be more artistic."

The brief, informative, and entertaining ceremony honoring Japan’s Emperor — who turned 74 on December 23, just as the days were beginning to lengthen — began with the instrumental versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Kimigayo," the Japanese national anthem. Consul Egawa assured more than 300 partygoers that the Emperor is "performing his duties in good health." The Consul General went on to describe Japan-United States relations as "excellent" this year, and pointed out that 2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) and the 40th anniversary of the Portland Japanese Garden. In less than two years, sister cities Portland and Sapporo will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their alliance. There are, Consul General Egawa noted, 6,254 Japanese residents of Oregon, a record high that makes an invaluable contribution to Oregon’s cultural diversity.

One of those residents, Alice Sumida, was presented with an official letter of appreciation from Nishikigoi Conference for her promotion of the koi breeding industry. Alice Sumida and her late husband Mark were pioneers of koi breeding in the United States, and were recognized for their contribution to understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.

Mayor Tom Potter thanked Consul General Egawa for all he does on behalf of Japanese citizens, Japanese Americans, and all the residents of Portland, then toasted the Emperor’s continued good health and the blessing of ongoing friendship between the two countries.

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski’s Deputy Chief of Staff Allen Alley told the "overwhelming group" that while he has been to Japan 50 times, he always looks forward to the next time. He admires the country’s technological innovations, like the Bullet Train, but especially appreciates the "kindness of the Japanese people that stands above all else." Alley surprised and delighted the crowd by declaring that tonkatsu is his favorite Japanese food, and he is especially fond of Tonki, a famous tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo. After toasting the United States, Consul General Egawa told the gathering, "Tonki is also my favorite."

For those of you who, like this journalist, are unfamiliar with tonkatsu, the Consul General explained that while it is clearly well-loved, tonkatsu is "not a high-class dish." If two guest speakers at an elegant occasion were to say that hamburgers were their favorite food, the effect would be similar, provided guests had an excellent sense of humor, like those who attended this reception.

There was no tonkatsu served at the Emperor’s birthday party, but delicacies included puff pastries with two savory fillings, salmon with pineapple, a vegetable casserole containing squash and something delicious, round, and mysterious, and an amazing selection of desserts, including spoon-sized crème brulée.

Reiko Waldram of JASO and her husband Brian were among the guests at the reception. Said Reiko, "The Emperor’s Birthday Celebration was not only a reminder of the long and prosperous Japan-U.S. relationship on the national level, but also a reminder of the importance of personal friendships that have developed over the years between the people of both countries."

Although the guest of honor was not in attendance at this birthday party, the Emperor of Japan did visit Portland once in 1960 when he was Crown Prince, and was welcomed by Fujinami Kai, a Japanese dance school which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. From this side of the Pacific Rim, we wish the Emperor and the rest of our neighbors in and from Japan a year of peace and prosperity.