Yoshimasa Watanabe, RI Director-Nominee

Grand Hotel, 12F. Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

2005年5月7日星期六Saturday, 7 May 2005  / 0900-1030

“How Rotarians Celebrate Rotary in Japan”. 

The topic given to me is “How Rotarians Celebrate Rotary Centennial in Japan”.

There are countless ways to celebrate Rotary Centennial---ceremonies, projects, fellowship activities, and formal gatherings. 

Let me show you, first of all, a poster which demonstrates an enlarged configuration of postal stamps.  In order to commemorate the Rotary International Centennial, the Japan Post has issued a memorial postal stamp.  On the occasion of welcome dinner for President and Mrs. Estess on April 29^th in Tokyo, the Japan Post presented the first print of the commemorative postal stamp to RI President Estess.  We believe memorial stamp is a most effective tool for promoting Rotary’s public image and consequently it will help increase membership. 

Since time is limited, I cannot cover all projects carried on by Japanese Rotarians for celebrating Rotary Centennial.  So let me introduce some projects in three categories: 1) Tree planting 2) international exchange and 3) ceremonies. 

District 2640 had an “Every Person, One Tree” Campaign, and was successful in raising some $160,000 to buy 1,800 trees, which constituted a new forest at the entrance of historical Mt Koya Pilgrimage Route, which was designated as a World Heritage.  Some other clubs planted seedlings extensively. 

Japan’s Shin-minato Club (District 2610) and Australia’s Caulfield Club (District 9800) celebrated the conclusion of sister-club relationship in May 2004, and by the initiative of the Australian club, the Japanese counterpart joined the project of giving fund to build a new hospital in Ecuador. 

Japan’s Okazaki South Club (D-2760) and California’s Newport-Balboa Club (D-5320) have had a sister-club relationship for 20 years, to commemorate which, and Rotary’s Centennial, both clubs cooperated to found a butterfly museum called “Butterfly House” in California. 

You may know that five Centennial Bells are traveling around the world, starting from Brisbane, Australia, where the International Convention was held in 2003.  One of the five bells came to Tokyo on its way to Chicago.  Many Japanese Rotarians were happy to see the bell and listened to its impressive sound at their regular meetings. 

On February 23, birthday of Rotary International, 64 clubs in D-2730 simultaneously had ceremonies and gatherings, and went out to streets, distributing Rotary leaflets which contain Premier Koizumi’s message on ecology. 

“Make Good Use of the Centennial History for the future of Rotary” was the motto of District 2650, which gathered on April 10 in Kyoto.  Dr. Genshitsu Sen, great tea master and past Director of RI, gave a keynote speech on future of Rotary, and a new song for Rotary’s Centennial was introduced to the audience. 

There are, of course, other interesting and imaginative projects and activities carried on in Japan, but I think I have used my five minutes. 

Thank you for your kind attention.