Bill Hersey’s Partyline July 2017

PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL DAY AND AMBASSADOR AMIL’S SAYONARA 

The National Day event was at the Okura Hotel and his sayonara was at his sixth floor penthouse in Mita. Farukh was very popular, and both of the events were wall-to-wall people from all walks of life. I hadn’t gotten to know him that long. He was very international, very intelligent, fun, outgoing, and cool. He’s in Switzerland now as his country’s ambassador to the UN. He’ll really be missed by his many friends here. 

PARTIES

ARAB JAPAN DAY GALA EVENING

Japan went all out when our Arab friends held their annual Arab Japan Day 2017 at the Imperial Hotel on April 4. Security,  which matched the world’s best, included dozens of police cars, lots of motorcycle officers, several busloads of uniformed officers, and top SP5 (special police). Many of ]apan’s top politicians attended, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who gave a very meaningful speech. There were also remarks by Keizo Morikawa, chairman of the ]apan Arab Association, and a gift presentation to the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike. Prior to the reception, there was a symposium on sustainable energy and water security. This was attended by many experts on this subject. The evening’s program included performances of both Arabic and Japanese music, a visit to an authentic Bedouin tent transported from Saudi Arabia. Our congratulations to the Council of Arab Ambassadors and Heads of Mission and their many friends here who made it all very special. 

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL’S GLITTERING DINNER  FOR THE MEDIA 

Once again, the President of the Imperial Hotel, Hideya Sadayasu, and his super staff went all out to make their annual party for the media a very special evening. This year the party, bigger than usual, was held in a larger venue: the luxurious Peacock Room.  The spacious venue was filled wall to wall with interesting people.  it was nice seeing special guest Peter Shaindlin, who’s President of the legendary Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu, and many top Japanese and foreign journalists I don’t see enough of. The buffet was a fabulous presentation that the top chefs and food and beverage staff had spent a lot of time and effort on. They certainly had a gourmet dinner to be proud of. Congratulations to our host Sadayasu-san. At the same time,  congratulations to the world-renowned hotel on their new and very personable managing director and GM, Yukio Kanao. 

PLACES

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIDTOWN OAKWOOD 

Midtown’s luxurious Oakwood Premier recently hosted a packed 10th-anniversary party at their popular residential lounge in Midtown Mall, which is also celebrating its 10th birthday. As always at their many happenings, there was a huge crowd enjoying the music by a Hawaiian duo, chatting with former sumo champ Konishiki, enjoying the excellent buffet, and mixing with a lot of interesting people. I really enjoyed spending time with British Captain Lia Ditton, who has gained international fame by rowing her colorful customized boat solo across the Atlantic Ocean. My congratulations to them all on the success of their many hotels. They all work very hard and it’s paid off. 

La Poret in Harajuku just opened a variety of really cool menswear shops — they’re very trendy and chic. Shibuya’s busier than ever. Don Quixote just opened their megastore right across the street from the super-popular Segafredo cafe and next to H&M’s always busy fashion building. Believe me, the beautiful aquariums with their marvelous variety of tropical fish at the new Don Quixote in the huge white building make it well worth checking out. You and your kids will love it. 

*First published at the Tokyo Weekender

*Images Copyright: Tsukasa Shiga