Kawartha Lakes celebrates 50 year-connection with Nayoro

At the June 18 Council meeting, the municipality of Kawartha Lakes celebrated 50 years of the Lindsay-Nayoro Twinning Committee with a presentation from Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito. During the presentation, an award was given to Kawartha Lakes resident Heather Newman for her commitment to fostering Japanese/Canadian friendship.

The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, was awarded to Heather Newman for her work with the Lindsay-Nayoro Twinning Committee over the past 50 years. Heather is currently serving as the Chair of the Twinning Committee. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, has personally congratulated Heather for her great work.

The Order celebrates the recipient’s work to strengthen friendship and goodwill between Japan and Canada through the development of sister-city exchanges. This award is a Japanese order given to one Canadian each year on behalf of the Japanese Emperor. It was presented by Consul-General Takako Ito.

Ms. Takako Ito joined the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1985, and has since had overseas postings in the Embassies in Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia and more. She has served in many roles, including a Principal Deputy Director for Asia Europe Partnership Division, a Director of Development Assistance Policy Planning Division and a Master of Ceremonies at Imperial Household Agency. Ms. Ito is an advocate for promoting greater understanding and exchanges between Canada and Japan.

The Lindsay-Nayoro Twinning Committee began in 1969 to celebrate goodwill and friendship between the two countries of Canada and Japan. Each year, a group of individuals from Kawartha Lakes or Nayoro is able to visit each other’s communities. This year, Kawartha Lakes residents will be visiting Japan to acknowledge this milestone. Among the twelve Kawartha Lakes residents travelling to Japan is Councillor Pat O’Reilly, award-recipient Heather Newman and Executive Assistant to MP Jamie Schmale, Dylan Robichaud.

To learn more about the Lindsay-Nayoro Twinning Committee, visit their website. For more information about Kawartha Lakes, visit the municipal website.

*Photo: Roderick Benns.