To all members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce
On December 15th, the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce held its Christmas gathering at SELC Language College in Gastown.
The 3rd Kazuko Komatsu Award ceremony was held at that event, following last year's successful presentation. The award recipients are as follows:
Congratulations once again. Below is a report on the award ceremony.
The enthusiasm of the 23 attendees, including members and young people pursuing their dreams as they head into the new year, surpassed even the lively atmosphere of Water Street, where Christmas music played non-stop.
The event was held in conjunction with the awards ceremony for the "Kazuko Komatsu Award," which is now in its third year. The award was established three years ago in 2021 in honor of the late Kazuko Komatsu, one of the key figures who founded the "Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce" 20 years ago in 2003, and who was known for her charismatic leadership.
The award is presented to individuals who have contributed to the Japanese-Canadian community or to the development of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce.
This year, 2023, six individuals were selected, and the award winners were announced by Chairman Sammy Takahashi.
Of the three award categories,
Category 1 is the "Lifetime Achievement Award," given to individuals who have made long-term contributions to the Japanese Canadian community. It was presented to Mikio Hirai and Mimi Hotta (who was absent).
The "Community Service Award" in Category 2 is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Japanese-Canadian community over the past few years. The recipients were Eiji Yoshikawa and Naomi Mishima (who was absent).
And in [Category 3] is the "JCCOC Leadership Award," given to those who have shown leadership in improving the "Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce," and this award was given to Kazuhiko Kamitono, who served as president from 2011 to 2013, and Kenki Miyanabe, the current director.
The following are the main activities of the award recipients:
[Category 1]
Kan Hirai (Second-generation Japanese immigrant to Canada)
Ms. Hirai has undertaken various activities to unite Japanese Canadian organizations. These activities include reviving the "Shiga Prefecture Association" in Vancouver, and launching the BC Japan Friendship Group on Facebook to serve as a source of information connecting Japanese Canadians living in BC with their places of origin in Japan. With the cooperation of Nikkei Place, she also holds a weekly "IT Senior Lounge" where she teaches how to use social media and conducts seminars in both Japanese and English.
Mimi Hotta (Steveston Heritage Site Destination Development Officer, City of Richmond)
Ms. Hotta is currently the chairperson of the Steveston Salmon Festival Japanese Culture Show. She is also a key organizer of the Japanese Canadian New Year's Party. In the past, she was a key organizer of the "Sakura Days Japan Fair," which was held as part of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. She volunteered at the Japanese Canadian Museum for 18 years, participating in various events.
[Category 2]
Eiji Yoshikawa (The Boxer Who Sets the World Right)
The former professional boxer, who single-handedly went to New York to provide relief immediately after the 9/11 attacks and founded Japan's first private vigilante group, the "Meidaimae Peacemakers," is known as the "boxer who reformed society."
As a trainer, I have nurtured a total of four champions in Japan and Asia.
He has given nearly a thousand lectures around the world, humorously preaching that "each individual should discipline themselves and love people across borders."
In Canada, she runs boxing classes for people with Parkinson's disease and "MamaFight," a stress-reducing program for women, at a Japanese-Canadian home. She also helps children build confidence through "KidsFight." Furthermore, as the Japanese ambassador for the Terry Fox Foundation, she participates in activities such as film screenings and speeches.
His belief that "the heart never ages," and his continued participation in matches against young champions even after turning 60, and his willingness to donate all his winnings to orphans in impoverished countries, have particularly touched the hearts of people in the Japanese-American community.
The philanthropist and boxer, who is also a writer in both English and Japanese, is a film producer, film school instructor, and editor-in-chief of an international business magazine.
Naomi Mishima (Editor-in-Chief of Nikka Today)
Ms. Mishima worked as a freelance writer in Vancouver for about 20 years. She mainly focused her reporting on the Japanese community, and in July 2020, she established MH Pacific Media Inc., launching a Japanese-language media and online site centered on the Japanese community. In January 2023, she rebranded the site as "Nikka Today," aiming to become a media outlet that connects communities not only in Vancouver but also in Canada and Japan.
[Category 3]
Kazuhiko Kamitono (Vice President and CFO of Listel Hospitality Group)
In addition to her role at the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Kamitono also serves as a director of the Kiyukai Association, vice-chairperson of the Japan-Canada Healthcare Association, and director of Tomoe Arts. Currently, she is a director of the Vancouver Business Roundtable, vice-chairperson of the Vancouver Supplementary School Management Committee, and director of the Japan-Canada Association. She has received awards from the Minister of Foreign Affairs for each of these three organizations.
Kenki Miyanabe (Founder of Smart Linkcom Solutions)
Based on his philosophy of "Be the change you want to see in the world," Mr. Miyanabe has leveraged his more than 20 years of experience in finance, venture capital, and his own management experience in the telecommunications sector to support investment and partnerships with startup companies in Japan and Canada.
With the support of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, in September 2023, 11 entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from the Kansai region were invited to Vancouver. Individual arrangements were made for them to pitch their funding and potential Canadian partners with local venture capital firms and startup accelerators such as Telus Ventures, InBC, InnovateBC, and VentureLAB in Ontario. Currently, four companies are in discussions for business partnerships in Canada, contributing to "connecting Japan and Canada."
Following the "Kazuko Komatsu Award" ceremony, a social gathering was held where members enjoyed specially ordered wagyu beef and salmon bento boxes from "Aburi Market," a member of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce. Finally, Junichi Tajiri of Coast Hotel, also a member, presented members with a voucher for a one-night stay at one of the 28 Coast Hotels, which was won by lottery by Yuji Matson.
(Contributed by the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce)
