Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Yasuhisa Kawamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Inaugural Event of “Peace is…”
UN Visitors Lobby, GA Building 1st Floor
11 April 2017

 

 

Good evening, I am Yasuhisa Kawamura, DPR of Japan to the UN. I arrived in New York just three weeks ago.

 

First, I would like to say thank you, once again, to Ms. Orihara, to Mr. Samuelson and to the Martha Graham Dancers.

Please give them another big round of applause for their inspiring performance!

 

It is wonderful to see Martha Graham, one of the most prestigious dance companies in the United States, being introduced to the UN through the Japanese dancer, Ms. Orihara.

 

On a personal note, I previously served as Deputy Consul-General of Japan here in New York. During my three years in the city, I visited the UN only twice, a fact I believe highlights the need for New Yorkers to be more involved with the UN. So, as Ambassador Bessho stated at the end of his remarks, “Let’s bring New York closer to the UN.”

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

“Peace is…” provides us all with an opportunity to stop and think about what peace means to each of us.

 

Thanks to the DPI Youth Representatives wearing “Peace is… shirts,” each one of you received a customized postcard.

Please take some time tonight to write your message for peace before you go home.

 

For the sake of securing more time for you to think about and write your peace message, I now humbly announce the opening of the food bar prepared by Genji Sushi. Thank you, Mr. Josh Onishi and Mr. Todd Honjo for your generous contributions like the one for the Plaster Wall event last December. I also extend our deepest gratitude to World Sake Import, Mr. William Giles and Ms. Keiko Sato, for their excellent service of Sake.

 

The next “Peace is …” event is scheduled for Friday 12 May, for a concert to take place here at UN Visitor’s Lobby during lunch-hour.

Please stay tuned for additional event details.

 

Thank you all again for joining us tonight and partaking in the launch of “Peace is…” Please enjoy the rest of the evening.

 

END