Bill Hersey’s Partyline July 1985

For once, decided I should do a bit of planning before taking off on another trip. In doing this, found out many of the people I had hoped to see in New York City were out of town and wouldn’t be back until early September. Since that isn’t all that far away and I’m not all that crazy about traveling during peak seasons I elected to wait a few weeks on the L.A.-New York-? trip. I did run over to Hong Kong for a few days and will knock out a brief rundown on what’s happening in the Crown Colony soon.

Here in Tokyo being paged at the Hilton’s Golden Key Club is as prestigious as being paged at the legendary Polo Lounge or poolside at the Beverly Hills Hotel. I make it over to the Golden Key Club and the Hilton’s Fitness Center about three times a week, and working out and playing tennis there has given me the opportunity to meet some of Japan’s top businessmen. It pays to live in Tokyo and to make good friends in important positions. But here are some of my July highlights including the July 4th celebrations, a top-class fashion designer back in Tokyo and partying with Motley Crue at the Lex.

Jun Ashidas’ Silver Wedding Anniversary

If you’re familiar with fashion designer Jun Ashida you know that everything he and his wife Tomoko do is on a grand scale. Their celebration of their Silver Wedding Anniversary was certainly no exception. The party was held at the Fuji-no-Ma room of the Imperial Hotel. The more than 500 guests were an interesting mix of high-ranking government officials, diplomats, business leaders, film, stage and TV luminaries, fashion models. and other friends of the Ashidas.

Italians in Japan fete National Day

Our Italian friends, Ambassador Marcella Guidi and his wife Gioia, did it again, The spacious embassy residence and gardens were filled with an interesting mix of diplomats, Japanese government officials, business leaders, members of the It community and familiar faces from the fashion, arts and entertainment worlds.

I had the privilege of taking actress Maria Schneider and her Italian friend Maria Pia Allarno-CIappanzaa who said she was in “absolute heaven” with all the superb pasta, Italian cheeses, etc…, served at the celebration. If was a really perfect party, good foods top fashion, all kinds of people enjoying themselves . . and very Italian, just exactly right National Day for the special occasion.

Signora Guidi is every bit as busy as her husband Marcelo. In addition to a constant stream of visitors from Italy, she Chairman of the next Cherry Blossom Ball and, with her at the helm, we know — as with everything eke she does — it’s going to be something special.

Bob Hope is host at black-tie dinner, honored by U.S. fans

U.S Ambassador Mike Mansfield and his wife Maureen look on as world famed Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune introduces his friend Mika Kitagawa to world-class funny guy Bob Hope, in Japan to turn the first symbolic spadesful of dirt to open a new golf course in Fukushima Prefecture. The rainy season and the storm from Typhoon Irma kept the ceremony from being held, but Hope still met the press, did some TV interviews and was host at a gala black-tie dinner at the Okura, shown here.

KENZO’s gala party following show of new collection

I’ve known Paris-based designer Kenzo Takada for many years and Yves Alemany, who recently left Nina Ricci to head Kenzo’s new offices here, is a good friend. Consequently, I was really sorry I couldn’t make it over to Budokan for Kenzo’s showing of his Fall/ Winter 85/86 Collection. The Tokyo Film Festival was at its peak and there was just too much happening that day.

Fortunately, former Tokyoite Chris Lynn was in from New York and, since he’s been very involved in fashion, was happy to use the tickets Kenzo and Yves had sent. I did drop by Kenzo’s party that evening and was happy to have the chance to congratulate him on the show and the collection. Two of his European friends—actor Helmut Berger and actress Math Schneider, who were here for TIFF — took time out of their busy schedules for both the show and the party.

They include a party hosted by Yves Alemany in honor of Kenzo Paris President Francois Baufume, here from France; a party at the Tokyo American Club given by food promo guru Emile Yamano to announce the opening of the California Wine Institute in Japan, and a party down Osaka way at the Kokusai Hotel hosted by Dick Yamashita and the Board of Directors of Semi-conductor Equipment and Materials Institute. At Sogetsu Kaikan they held a press conference on the exhibit “Art in Action” which will open in late October. The exhibit features the work of nine young international artists and will range from paintings to sculpture, to photographs to video works.

July 4th Celebration, Red, White & Blue at the Tokyo American Club

“God Bless America” really echoed the sentiments of everyone who joined two great Americans, Ambassador and Mrs. Mike Mansfield, in singing that all-time great patriotic song at a true, red, white and blue celebration hosted by the President, Bob Collins, and Board of Governors of the Tokyo American Club.

Everyone stood at attention and you could hear a pin drop as a Marine color guard presented the colors. Ambassador Mansfield made a short, but very effective, speech and proposed a toast to HIH The Emperor of Japan. HIH Prince Hitachi, in turn, proposed a toast to the President of the United States. This was followed by the traditional cutting of the cakes.

Judie Davis, President of the Tokyo American Club Women’s Group, joined HIH Princess Hitachi in cutting the TAC’s 57th Anniversary cake and Keiko Collins, wife of TAC’s President, joined Maureen Mansfield in cutting the USA’s 209th Birthday cake. The program, masterfully emceed by Bob. It was a festive affair that made all Americans there even more proud to be Americans.

I appreciate the opportunity to have shared this special occasion with so many fellow countrymen. This was especially true as I wasn’t able to get to the U.S. Pavilion at Tsukuba Expo for an earlier celebration that day where the  Mansfields were special guests.

Spaniards in Tokyo fete their Nation’s King’s Day

The Spanish Ambassador Eduardo Ibanez and his spouse Ana gave a reception at their home on the evening of June 24 to celebrate King’s Day, The lbanezes are a very popular couple, and as at any of their functions, it was wall-to-wall people. The crowd that evening was a mix of diplomats, high-rankinq Japanese government officials, leaders in industry here, and familiar faces from the arts, entertainment and social world.

In addition, there was a very important visitor from Spain. Minister of Industry and Energy, Carlos Solana. It was a festive evening, but everyone was sorry to hear that Eduardo and “Titi,” after four years in Japan, will he returning to Spain soon. They’re an exceptional couple and will really be missed.

Lebanese Dinner Honors TIH Prince & Princess Takamado

Interesting people, a superb meal and a relaxed ambiance all added up to an exceptional evening at the home of Lebanese Ambassador Samira Hanna-El-Daher. The occasion was a formal dinner in honor of TIH Prince and Princes Takamado. I’ve had the privilege of knowing both Prince and Princess Takamado for several years and, with their per educational backgrounds and interests in everyone and everything, it’s easy to see why they are so popular and so much in demand.

Frankly I don’t see how they keep up the busy schedule they always seem to have. They both received their higher education abroad, Prince Takamado in Canada; Princess Takamado in England. Consequently they’re both very international and have still been able to keep all those good characteristics that are Japanese.

Chiye Hachisuka was there and it’s really nice to have her back in town. It was also nice getting together with Francoise Morechand after not seeing her for quite some time. That talented woman, who never stops. lives in the same building as Samira.

The food was beautifully prepared and really brought back some wonderful memories of Beirut before all the tragedy that’s hit the city and the people of Lebanon. Let’s hope somehow, someday, it can be the way it was again.

Samira will be leaving soon for Beirut where she’ll take on a new assignment as Director of Protocol. She’s an extremely capable person, has been a real friend and we wish her and her people . . . our best.

After dinner people talked about holiday plans. Prince and Princess Takamado will stay in Japan, but spend some time in Kyoto for a special festival with the fires on a mountainside at Mt. Takamado (for which he was named). It was a very special evening in every way. One I appreciated being a part of.

Motley Crue rockers have a ball at Lexington Queen party

Paul Umehara of the Japanese heavy-metal group 44 Magnum, cuts up with Motley Crue’s Nikki Six. Below, from left: Our Party-liner Bill Hersey and Ayano-San of the Lex with Vince Neil, lead vocalist with Motley Crue. Lex staffer Akiyoshi Yamazaki happily poses with Tommy Lee, drummer for the popular band. Nikki Six, bassist and vocalist, graciously signed autographs for the more than 100 fans who clogged the street outside the disco. Motley Crue manager Doug Thaler, guitarist Mick Mars and Lex staffer Chiye Chan; in a happy mood.