Tokyo Weekender July 2016

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People, Parties, Places TOKYO’S LONGEST RUNNING SOCIETY PAGE WITH BILL HERSEY So much happening here in old Edo – and so many notes on many of the happenings around town I’m even further behind than usual. We’re living in what’s got to be one of the most dynamic cities in the world, and I’m sure most of you love it as much as I do. The closer we get to the Olympics in 2020, the more changes we’re going to see. As I’m sure you know, things are already changing – almost daily. Here are a few things you have probably noticed. La Foret in Harajuku just opened a variety of really cool menswear shops – they’re very trendy and chic. Shibuya’s busier than ever. Don Quixote just opened their megastore right across the street from the super-popular Segafredo café and next to H&M’s always busy fashion building. Believe me, the beautiful aquariums with their marvelous variety of tropical fish at the new Don Quixote in the huge white building make it well worth checking out. You and your kids will love it. Over Roppongi way, they’ve cut down all the beautiful trees on the corner land where the late great Dr. Aksenoff had his international clinic. Friends in urban development tell me the owner (Mori) really has dynamic plans for that area and many other places in Roppongi as well. I also hear that several property owners behind the run-down Tokyo flashback: Bill with the late great actor Roger Moore and his wife Roi Building have finally sold their property on the street behind the Roi and development companies will be making really big changes there as well. As Weekender founder Corky Alexander used to say, “I don’t want to break anyone’s rice ball,” but that property really needs cleaning up. While you’re in Roppongi, be sure and check out the new Starbucks in Midtown Plaza. There’s seating for about 20 people on the first floor where you can relax and enjoy watching the passing parade of interesting people. There are also several tables/benches outside, and a chic room on the second floor that has comfortable seating for about 60 people. A great Belgian restaurant, Le Pain Quotidien, moved in where Starbucks used to be Midtown Plaza. You’ll like the rustic décor, the service is good, and the food is healthy and tasty. You’ll be amazed at the variety they offer, and their prices are reasonable. They also have an in-house bakery – try the organic Baker’s Basket. I really feel you’ll like this new eatery and it’s going to be very popular. That’s enough this and that for this month’s column. Time to move on to Tokyo’s always busy social scene. PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL DAY AND AMBASSADOR AMIL’S SAYONARA The National Day event was at the Okura Hotel and his sayonara was at his sixth floor penthouse in Mita. Farukh was very popular, and both of the events were wall-to-wall people from all walks of life. I hadn’t gotten to know him that long. He was very international, very intelligent, fun, outgoing and cool. He’s in Switzerland now as his country’s ambassador to the UN. He’ll really be missed by his many friends here. ARAB JAPAN DAY GALA EVENING Japan went all out when our Arab friends held their annual Arab Japan Day 2017 at the Imperial Hotel on April 4. Security, which matched the world’s best, included dozens of police cars, lots of motorcycle officers, several busloads of uniformed officers, and top SPs (special police). Many of Japan’s top politicians attended, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gave a very meaningful speech. There were also remarks by Keizo Morikawa, chairman of the Japan Arab Association, and a gift presentation to the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. She, as I’m sure many of you know, studied in Cairo and speaks fluent Arabic. The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Kuwaiti Ambassador Al-Otaibi. Prior to the reception, there was a symposium on sustainable energy and water security. This was attended by many experts on this subject. The evening’s program included performances of both Arabic and Japanese music, a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent transported from Saudi Arabia, an exhibition of everyday articles inside the tent, and an exhibition and demonstration of Arabic calligraphy. It was all 46 | JULY 2017 | TOKYO WEEKENDER
IMPERIAL MEDIA DINNER/RECEPTION 1. Kelly Wetherille and her husband, Jorge Pazmino, looking good!! 2. Le Monde’s Philippe Mesmer, socialite Vivian Morelli, PR guru Nacio “Skip” Cronin 3. The host, Imperial Hotel’s president Hideya Sadayasu, Dewi Sukarno, Hawaii Halekulani Hotel’s President Peter Shaindlin 4. Peter Shaindlin, Imperial Hotel’s exec. Jun Kazama, Far East Traveler’s founder George Pokrovsky, his son – the magazine’s mg. ed., Michael 1 2 3 4 5 7 6 8 9 10 12 13 11 PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR AMIL’S PAKISTAN NATIONAL DAY AND SAYONARA 5. Murlie Tanaka, Kumiko Meric (Turkey), Kyoko Spector, Lilo Maruyama 6. Turkish Amb. Bulent Meric, Amb. Amil, Popular politician Kazuyuki Hamada and Mrs. Hamada 7. Bahrain Amb. Hassan, Chief of mission Iraq Rahman Muhsin, Qatar Amb. Yousef Bilal, Oman Amb. Khalid Al-Muslahi 8. Amb. Amil, Grand Hyatt GM Steve Dewire 9. Yuko Miwa and her son, Masahisa (Valiant Language School) 10. Amb. Amil, Grand Hyatt GM Steve Dewire 11. Zimbabwe Amb. & Mrs. Titus M.J. Abubasutu 12. Govt. officials Antonio Inoki, Natsuo Yamaguchi, and Seishiro Eto, Amb. Amil, Motome Takizawa 13. Senegal Amb. and Mrs. Chiekh Niang, Muhammad Adam, Nigerian Charge d'Affaires and Mrs. Bello Kavaure Husseini TOKYO WEEKENDER | | JULY 2017 | 47
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Tokyo Weekender July 2016

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