Address by Her Majesty the Empress (2009)

Toast by Her Majesty the Empress on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Japan-America Women's Club

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
at Hotel Okura

It gives me so much pleasure to be invited here today to this commemorative luncheon celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the Japan-America Women's Club.  In Japan, the age of sixty is called kanreki, when a person is considered to have come full cycle.  I can tell that you know everything about it as I see a lot of red in the room today.

On this very special occasion, I would like to offer my warmest wishes to all the members of the Japan-America Women's Club for having completed your first full cycle.  As you now take a new step into the future, I hope you will continue, as you have always done, your good work of fostering friendship between our two countries.

Please join me in a toast.  To the Japan-America Women's Club.