THE Consular Office of Japan on Saipan led by Consul Kazuhiko Ono hosted a celebration of the 61st birthday of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito at the Aqua Resort Club on Thursday evening.
Emperor Naruhito
In his remarks, the consul praised the CNMI for overcoming “many obstacles such as large-scale natural disasters and depression of the economy.”
Each time, he added, “the people of the CNMI have worked together and recovered just like the ‘Phoenix’ from such tragic events.”
Referring to the global Covid-19 pandemic, Ono said: “I sincerely believe that the CNMI will show the will of resilience and overcome this time of hardship.”
For the time being, Japanese tourists won’t be able to visit the CNMI, Ono said as he noted the efforts of the Torres-Palacios administration to start a “travel bubble” in the near future.
“I would like to work with the local community and related agencies to bring back tourists from Japan to Saipan as soon as possible,” Ono added.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that we are currently facing a critical crossroads in our history. Now is the time that we must all work together and give it our all by showing the Hafa Adai spirit! Marianas, be strong!” Ono said.
More than a hundred community members, both from the public and private sectors, attended the celebration at the Aqua Resort Club.
The entertainment included performances that showcased Japanese culture: Kendo Kata, Odori, and a Mochitsuki ceremony.
In his remarks, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said Japan and the Northern Marianas are connected by history and culture.
The relationship between the Northern Marianas and Japan is over 100 years old, he said, “and since 1914 our histories, cultures, and lifestyle have remained intertwined.”
The NMI was administered by Japan from 1914 to 1944.
Palacios said “many of our indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian families can trace their history to Japan.”
He added, “My maternal grandfather is Japanese. So I understand how important Japan is to our islands — the connections are beyond history and economy. There are blood ties that run deep, and I am proud of that.”
As for tourism, he said it is a top priority for the administration. “Through the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Commonwealth Ports Authority, we will continue to work with our Japanese partners in the tourism and airline industries, our local Japanese businesses and our community to revitalize this historic and important market.”
He said the global Covid-19 pandemic has “negatively impacted [our economy] as we all know, and our Commonwealth revenue is projected to drop significantly.”
Now more than ever, he added, “we need to continue to work together to diversify our economy, through new industries and to continue promoting the Marianas as a coronavirus-free, world-class destination.”
Palacios said in honor Emperor Naruhito, “we [also] pray for peace, harmony, prosperity between the Marianas and Japan…. Gov. Ralph Torres and I will continue to work with everyone here in our community to strengthen our historic friendship.”
Japanese Consul Kazuhiko Ono and wife Masako look on as Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his remarks at the Aqua Resort Club on the occasion of Japan Emperor Naruhito’s 61st birthday on Thursday evening.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
