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RICHMOND, B.C. - The Emperor of Japan’s first appearance in British Columbia in more than five decades featured a welcome fit for a king. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were greeted by a few hundred boisterous supporters Friday outside the Olympic Oval in Richmond, B.C., as they continued their official visit to the country. The royal couple arrived at Oval, which will host speedskating events during the 2010 Winter Olympics, shortly after touching down in the province. They shook hands with people who came to see them and left a trail of beaming smiles behind as they entered the sports facility. Once inside, they were treated to a demonstration by Canadian Olympic speedskaters Shannon Rempel and Nicole Garrido. Rempel and Garrido donned their uniforms and raced along the ice, drawing polite applause from Emperor and Empress. Fellow Olympians Clara Hughes and Charmaine Crooks were also on hand to greet the royal couple, as was Vancouver organizing committee boss John Furlong. The Emperor smiled as B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, who walked alongside the royal couple for much of the one-hour stop and handled introductions, told him that Canada’s speedskaters will bring home the gold in 2010. Emperor Akihito last visited B.C. in 1953 when he was the Crown Prince. He stopped in Vancouver en route to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Emperor and Empress are visiting Canada to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada. Their 12-day tour began July 3 in Ottawa, and will end when the Emperor and Empress leave B.C. on Tuesday. As they left the Oval, the Emperor and Empress were again treated to cheers from the crowd, many holding cameras in one hand and Japanese flags in the other. The royal couple then watched a performance of "Field of Spirit" by a Richmond children’s choir. The song was written for the choir to commemorate the Oval’s opening. Lena Yoshitake stood in the choir’s front row during the performance, mere feet from the Emperor and Empress, and said she was more than a little anxious singing for royalty. "I was really excited and I was really nervous, but we got through, even if it was really hot in the sun," she said. "It was really good." Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson was among those to greet the Emperor and Empress as they arrived. Robertson said their interaction was limited to formalities. "It was mostly, ’nice to meet you,"’ Robertson said, adding that he and the Emperor are scheduled to speak again on Sunday. Richmond, with its strong connection to Japan, was delighted the royal couple chose to visit the city, said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "Richmond has a very active and vibrant Japanese-Canadian community and this is a particularly exciting and historic event for them," he said. Campbell didn’t speak with reporters, but said in a statement that renewing and strengthening B.C.’s strong ties with Japan will be the focus of the visit. "Their Majesties’ visit highlights the importance of British Columbia and Japan as strong partners as we move forward with our Asia Pacific strategy." Before leaving, the Emperor and Empress were presented with 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative pins by members of the Richmond Minor Hockey Association. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are scheduled to visit Victoria’s Parliament buildings on Saturday. Top of Page |
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September 2, 2010, 7:48 am |