Barrhead hosts Japan 's Consul General

A visitor knocked on Barrhead’s door last Wednesday – and was greeted as a close friend and honoured guest.

It was the first time Japan’s Consul General had visited the town, so every effort was made to make him feel welcome.

Susumu Fukuda went to the Japanese Gardens and had lunch at Barrhead Town Council chambers.

His lunch companions included Barrhead Mayor Brian Schulz, Reeve Bill Lee, RCMP Sgt. Bob Dodds, chairman of the twinning committee Coun. Roy Ulmer and Town Chief Administrative Officer Martin Taylor. Also present was assistant to the Consul General, Yoshi Shirakaki.

The meeting underlined the ties between Barrhead and Japan, in particular the sister town of Tokoro on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Although informal, and at times light-hearted, the conversation covered serious issues like education, the low crime rates enjoyed by both communities and the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused widespread destruction in Japan and led to an international relief effort – something for which the country remains very grateful.

Fukuda, whose office is in Calgary, asked about Barrhead’s population, both in the town and county, and the number of schools in the area.

He went on to mention programs which offer Barrhead students the possibility of getting scholarships for visiting Japan and sampling a different culture.

There was also discussion about the difference in agriculture and business priorities, and Japan’s 2020 Olympics bid, competing with Istanbul in Turkey and Madrid in Spain.

Fukuda said Japan already had the facilities for such a prestigious event which it hosted in 1964. It also offered safety and a great transport network.

The conversation touched on lighters matters too, including Fukuda’s hole-in-one while playing golf in Peru and the delights and health benefits of barley tea, which is so popular in Japanese households.

Afterwards, Shirakaki said Fukuda had come to Barrhead to see the Mayor and develop and promote the town’s relationship with Tokoro. The day before he visited Whitecourt.

Schulz said it had been a privilege to host Fukuda.

“In the 21 years the town has twinned with Japan this is the first time we have been honoured to receive a visit by the Consul General of Japan in Calgary,” he said.

Schulz said Fukuda had been impressed with appearance of Barrhead, which has been buffed up in preparation for the Alberta 55-plus Summer Games.

“He was also impressed with the Japanese Gardens,” he added.

Fukuda has had a number of postings overseas, including Oslo, Norway, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Guatemala, Lima, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Mexico.