The 2022 Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch and the 2nd Kazuko Komatsu Award Ceremony will be held.

Past Events
2022.12.19

To all members of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce

On December 13th, the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce held its Christmas lunch gathering.
The second annual Kazuko Komatsu Award ceremony was held at that event, following last year's successful ceremony. The award recipients are listed below.
Congratulations once again. Below is a report on the award ceremony.

The Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce's Christmas lunch and the 2nd Kazuko Komatsu Award ceremony were held on December 13th at Al Porto, an Italian restaurant in Gastown. Thirty-two people attended, including Consul General Kohei Maruyama, who had been in his post in Vancouver for two months, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The Kazuko Komatsu Award, which was started last year, was established in honor of the late Kazuko Komatsu, one of the founders of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who led the organization for many years, and this year marks its second year.

Named after former Chairman Komatsu, this award recognizes individuals who have contributed to international exchange between Japan and Canada through business, culture, education, and tourism, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the Japanese-Canadian community. This year, ten individuals were selected, and Chairman Sammy Takahashi presented certificates of commendation to the six recipients and two representatives who attended the award ceremony.

<List of Award Winners>

Lifetime Achievement Award

Kaori Riton and Wayne Riton, founders of Cheena BC Ltd (Cheena Canada)

Mari Miyasaka, owner of Fraser Journal Publishing.

Tomoko Shimada, Skyland Travel Co., Ltd.escapes.cafounder

JCCOC Leadership Award

Mari Kato, Director, Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce  

Miki Takabayashi, Director of the Japan-Canada Chamber of Commerce, and CEO of AK Jump Educational Consulting Inc.

Community Service Awards

Tomio Morohashi, Managing Director, Bridges International Insurance

Masayuki Watanabe, BC English-Japanese translator, and leader of the "I LOVE MY HOMETOWN" event organizing committee.

Shigeko Kuwahara, former leader of the choral group "Winds" (2000-2020)

Akiko Yoshizawa, Principal of Kelowna Japanese Language School and leader of the Japanese Cultural Heritage Program

Dear JCCOC members,

We had a Christmas luncheon on December 13. We had an award-giving ceremony for the winners below to receive the Kazuko Komatsu awards.
Congratulations again to those who got the awards!!

–Kaori & Wayne, Lytton Lifelong Achievement Award 

–Mari Miyasaka, Lifelong Achievement Award

–Tomoko Shimada, Lifelong Achievement Award

–Mari Kato, JCCOC Leadership Award

–Miki Takabayashi, JCCOC Leadership Award

–Tomio Morohashi, Community Service Award

–Masayuki Watanabe, Community Service Award

–Shigeko Kuwabara, Community Service Award

–Akiko Yukizawa, Community Service Award

The Christmas party began with a greeting from Consul General Kohei Maruyama, who had been in his post for two months.
Lifetime Achievement: Sean Riton, son of Kaori Riton and Wayne Riton of Cheena BC Ltd. (Cheena Canada). As a family-owned company, it has been providing Canada's finest gourmet products for many years.
Lifetime Achievement: This award recognizes Mari Miyasaka, owner of the free monthly journal Fraser, published by Journal Publishing, for her long-standing contributions to the community since its founding in 1992.
Lifetime Achievement: Akiko Shimada of Skyland Travel, a company with 32 years of experience. Specializing in travel to Japan and other parts of Asia, she has been a source of information for the Japanese community in British Columbia.
Community Service Award: Masayuki Watanabe, Japanese-English Translator: Serving as the leader of the "Pride of Our Hometown" Executive Committee. He has served as the master of ceremonies for the "Pride of Our Hometown" event, which has been running for 14 years, and has contributed to international exchange between Japan and Canada through various aspects such as introducing Japan, preserving culture, tourism, business, and education.
Shigeko Kuwahara, affectionately known as Moko, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, formed the current mixed choir group, Winds, after planning a song performance as a gift at a senior living facility where she had volunteered for many years. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend the award ceremony, so Chairman Sammy Takahashi delivered the certificate to Moko's home.
A total of 32 people gathered for a pleasant lunchtime conversation. We spent time socializing while sharing our aspirations for the coming year.