ENGLISH ∙ ESPAÑOL ∙ FRANÇAIS ∙
GALLERY — JUNE 2007, OKINAWA
On June 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affaires of the Republic of Latvia, Dr. Artis Pabriks made an official state visit to Japan, which included four days in Okinawa. On this occasion, Onaga Sensei was presented with the title of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Okinawa. This was the first Consulate of the European Union ever opened in Okinawa.
Minister Pabriks has been my time Deshi and a member of Shinjinbukan for ten years. So, in fact Onaga Sensei received this honorary title from his mago deshi (a deshi of a deshi), which implies a meaning similar to a grandchild. Here are a few highlights of the trip:
THE ARRIVAL OF THE LATVIAN DELEGATION TO OKINAWA
ADVANCED PARTY
On June 1st, Mr. Susumu Tanaka, Advisor to Latvian Embassy in Tokyo, arrived to Naha to assist with the opening of the Honorary Consulate of Latvia in Okinawa. He was welcomed by Onaga Yoshimitsu, Kaicho and Ms. Inese Avana, the first Latvian student undergoing graduate studies at Ryukyu University.
After the intense brainstorming session, Onaga Kaichō and his deshi hosted a dinner for Mr. Tanaka Susumu.
THE ARRIVAL OF THE LATVIAN DELEGATION TO OKINAWA
The Latvian Delegation arrived to Okinawa on June 4th, with the following members:
— Dr. Artis Pabriks, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
— Mrs. Undine Pabriks-Bollow
— Mr. Peteris Vaivars, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia in Japan
— Ms. Elita Gavele, Head of Minister's Bureau
— Mr. Edgars Skuja, Under-Secretary of State
— Ms. Dana Rudaka, Deputy Head of Asia & Oceania Division
— Ms. Dagnija Stukena, Advisor to the Minister
— Ms. Zane Ampermane, Head of Protocol.
The welcoming party included:
— Mr. Shigeie Toshinori, Ambassador in Charge of Okinawan Affairs;
— Mr. Tanaka Susumu, Advisor to the Latvian Embassy in Tokyo;
— Mr. Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Okinawa;
— Mr. Ryuji Yamakawa, Secretariat of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Okinawa;
— Ms. Lika Aysegul Shaub, Administrative Translator of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Latvia in Okinawa.
Also present were the following Shinjinbukan members:
Mr. Arakaki Shunichi, Mr. Jimmy Mora, Mr. Odo Yojun, Mr. James East, Mr. Jonathon Hallberg & Mr. Tadashi Kakazu.
Afterwards, the delegation was taken to their accomodations at the BUSENA TERRACE BEACH RESORT.
