天皇誕生日祝賀会

2月23日は日本の天皇徳仁陛下の誕生日でした。日本では天皇誕生日が祝日であることをご存知ですか？東京の皇居では、いつも盛大な一般公開の儀式が行われます。ヒューストンでは、日本政府独自の祝賀会がリバー・オークスの日本総領事私邸で開催されました。昨年、私たちが住宅探しをお手伝いした多くの日本政府のクライアントとともに、村林夫妻にお会いできてとてもうれしかったです。夫人たちは正式な着物を着て、総領事が日の丸を掲揚する中、日本国歌が演奏された。おいしい日本料理やデザートが並び、たくさんの友人や同僚が参加し優雅な時を過ごしました。余談ですが、村林総領事は公職からの引退を発表し、3月にヒューストンの任地を離れる予定であると付け加えました。とても悲しいですが、彼が日本政府の旧公邸を売却する機会を案浦不動産グループに与えてくれたことにとても感謝しています。彼は、それがヒューストンで最大の成果の一つであると述べられ、とても光栄です。村林さんとオーロラさん、ご退職後もご活躍を期待しています。

Feb 23 was the birthday of the Emperor of Japan, His Majesty Naruhito. Did you know that in Japan, the birthday of the Emperor is a public holiday?  There is always a big ceremony open to the public at the Emperial Palace in Tokyo. Here in Houston, the Government of Japan had their own celebration, which took place at the Consul General of Japan’s private residence in River Oaks. It was so nice to see Mr. and Mrs. Murabayashi along with many of our Government of Japan clients who we helped find housing for in the past year. Wives were dressed in formal kimonos and the Japanese national anthem was played as the Consul General raised the Japanese flag. There was a delicious spread of Japanese food and desserts and it was fun to see many friends and colleagues in attendance. On a side note, Consul General Murabayashi announced his retirement from public service, adding that he would be leaving his Houston post in March. We are so sad to see him go and really appreciate the chance he gave Annoura Realty Group to sell the Japanese Government’s former official residence. He mentioned it was one of his biggest accomplishments while serving in Houston and that really made me feel happy. Good luck, Mr. Murabayashi and Aurora san on the next chapter of your lives!