Bill Hersey’s Partyline July 1980

I can’t explain why, but even though I really planned to head for the USA July 18, somewhere in the back of my mind something told me it just wouldn’t happen. Well, Daisho, a company I work with, scheduled a press conference on the 23rd to announce the opening of their dinner-disco club, the Samba Club Regency in the Hotel Century Hyatt on Sept. 15, and Daisho prez Shozo Tanimoto asked me to stick around for that, so stick around I did. Frankly, I wasn’t ready to leave yet anyway, but then again, I never am.

July 4th Celebrations

God Bless America, it was the 4th of July and our 204th birthday . . . I really appreciated the chance to be with American and Japanese friends at two super celebrations: one at the U.S. Embassy and the other at the Tokyo American Club.

The reception at the Embassy was scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We got there a little late, but there was still a big crowd both inside the residence and outside in the garden. Once we congratulated Ambassador and Mrs. Mansfield, we moved out into the garden to check things out. I was surprised to see Chiye Hachisuka. She just got back from the U.S. and “really enjoyed the last few months there.” Ronald Gaiduk was a bachelor that day; wife Rosemarie and daughter Alexandria were spending their holidays in London.

Nafisa Choudhury, wife of the Bangladesh Ambassador, told me she would be traveling to the Philippines for a week and Barbara (“Bobbie”) Seligmann told me they’ll be leaving Japan before too long. Her husband, Albert, is Counsellor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy: they’ll be going to Florida for his new assignment.

For the occasion, Maureen Mansfield had red-and-white striped canopies set up around the garden and a huge cluster of red, white and blue balloons floated over the fountain. That, plus being with a lot of fellow Americans, really got me in the mood and by the time I got over to the Tokyo American Club later that afternoon I was really feeling patriotic.

The Top of the TAC was packed and with all the red, white and blue there including the waiters’ bowties, everyone else was getting into the “I love America” (most of us really do, you know) mood as well. We all stood pretty tall when a group of Japanese and American Boy Scouts presented the colors. TAC President Eugene Murray welcomed the guests and introduced the dignitaries seated on the stage. Ambassador Mansfield proposed a toast to the Emperor and the Azabu Fire Department Band played the Japanese National anthem “Kimigayo.” Then the ambassador made a short, very dynamic speech about American spirit and American and Japanese friendship.

H.I.H. Prince Hitachi proposed a toast to President Carter and I think about every American there sang out when the band played “The Star Spangled Banner.” This was followed by two cake cuttings, one to celebrate Independence Day, the other to celebrate TAC’s 54th anniversary. When the ceremonies were over, guests moved to the American Room for dinner and dancing.

Gabon’s Ambassador and family bid Tokyo sayonara

Ruby and I piled in the ol’Skyline and headed for Hiroo where Gabonese Ambassador and Mme. Andre Mongongo-Nzambi were having a party to say sayonara. Everyone there felt pretty much the same as I: it seemed we had hardly got to really know this personable couple and now they’re leaving. Actually, they had been here two years, but you know how time flies in Tokyo. During their all-too-short-stay, they made many, many friends. The ambassador, a very capable diplomat, did a great deal towards promoting more trade and further friendship between Gabon and Japan. His wife, Yvette was not only charming and fashionable, but also involved herself in many worth-while projects while here. They and their beautiful family will really be missed.

It was a busy day for everyone, but many heads of missions, Japanese government officials, business leaders and personal friends managed to get to the party. Dean of the Corps, Ivory Coast Ambassador Pierre Coffi, on behalf of the corps, made a sayonara speech and presented Andre and Yvette with an engraved silver tray. They planned to spend some holidays in Gabon before going on to the ambassador’s new assignment in Geneva.

There was talk about others leaving at this party, too. Ambassador Kazuo Chiba and his wife Keiko will be leaving this fall. He’s currently Director General for Mid-Eastern Affairs for the Gaimusho and will be Japan’s newly appointed ambassador to Sri Lanka. Sudanese Ambassador El-Baghir Abdel Mutaal told me that he and his family will be returning to Khartoum the end of this month. They’re another highly respected and well liked couple. Talk about a turnover!

Bastille Day at the French Embassy

On the 14th we joined a huge crowd at the French Embassy where Ambassador and Mme. Xavier De La Chevalerie held a grand reception on the occasion of their National Day. That same day I saw a private screening of the 20th century flick “The Rose” starring Bette Middler . . . what a fantastic film! Also attended the premiere of The American Dance Machine’s new show at Hakuhinkan. That was great, too.

On Tuesday the 22nd, Polish Ambassador Stefan Perkowicz gave a mid-day reception at The Shirogane Guest House not only to celebrate Poland’s National Liberation Day, but also to give the Ambassador the opportunity to say sayonara to his many friends and associates here. After four years in Japan, he and his wife Wieslawa returned to Warsaw where he’ll be working at a new government assignment.

I got there a little late, so missed the sayonara ceremony. Qatar Ambassador Hamad Mansour Al-Hajiri, deputy dean of the corps, on behalf of his fellow diplomats, made a farewell speech and presented Ambassador Perkowicz with two beautiful blue-and-white Japanese plates and a set of lamps. It was a crowded reception and guests included most of the diplomats who hadn’t left for their summer holidays, many Japanese officials and people from the business, arts and entertainment world.

In talking with Miroslaw Kowalczyk, First Secretary at the Polish Embassy, I learned he and his family will also be returning to Warsaw soon. They’re a nice couple and will be missed.

Several executives from Minon Concert Association were at the party and told me they’re planning a big Italian opera promotion in 1981. This year of course, they’re bringing the Vienna Opera to Japan. It was a nice reception, and very appropriate for the occasion. Congratulations to our Polish friends on this special day, and best wishes to Ambassador Perkowicz and his family on their next assignment.

In and Around Tokyo

Things did slow a little the last few weeks but there was still plenty to do. Imelda R. Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines, held a reception on the 8th at the New Otani. Paraguayan Ambassador and Mme. Marcos M. Mendieta gave a sayonara for Gabonese Ambassador Andre Mangongo-Nzambi and his wife Yvette on the 9th, and guests had the opportunity to meet several cabinet ministers from Latin and South America.

On Thursday the 10th, Egyptian Ambassador Saad Khalil hosted a mid-day reception to celebrate his country’s National Day, and this gave me a chance to meet and talk about several projects with Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Gamal El-Nazer. That same evening our dear friends Burmese Ambassador U Maung Maungl Gyl, his wife Daw Nyunt Nyunt and their daughter Khin Sabei hosted a party to say sayonara. The ambassador has been reassigned to Sri Lanka. Later that evening, Paul Rose of Folio Inc. hosted a dinner for Jerry and Eileen Ford who head the world’s best-known model agency out of New York.

On Saturday the 12th I had the privilege of being one of the guests at a very elegant dinner party Francoise Morechand and her husband Tatsuji Nagataki hosted in their beautiful penthouse apartment. The dinner was to celebrate Tatsuji’s birthday, the couple’s fourth wedding anniversary and Bastille Day, a few days later on the 14th.

For our Arab friends, it’s Ramadan. Congratulations on the holy month for Moslems which started July 13 and ends Aug. 12.

Polish Mid-Day Reception

On Tuesday the 22nd, Polish Ambassador Stefan Perkowicz gave a mid-day reception at The Shirogane Guest House not only to celebrate Poland’s National Liberation Day, but also to give the Ambassador the opportunity to say sayonara to his many friends and associates here. After four years in Japan, he and his wife Wieslawa returned to Warsaw where he’ll be working at a new government assignment.

I got there a little late, so missed the sayonara ceremony. Qatar Ambassador Hamad Mansour Al-Hajiri, deputy dean of the corps, on behalf of his fellow diplomats, made a farewell speech and presented Ambassador Perkowicz with two beautiful blue-and-white Japanese plates and a set of lamps. It was a crowded reception and guests included most of the diplomats who hadn’t left for their summer holidays, many Japanese officials and people from the business, arts and entertainment world.

In talking with Miroslaw Kowalczyk, First Secretary at the Polish Embassy, I learned he and his family will also be returning to Warsaw soon. They’re a nice couple and will be missed.

Several executives from Minon Concert Association were at the party and told me they’re planning a big Italian opera promotion in 1981. This year of course, they’re bringing the Vienna Opera to Japan. It was a nice reception, and very appropriate for the occasion. Congratulations to our Polish friends on this special day, and best wishes to Ambassador Perkowicz and his family on their next assignment.

IN TOWN:

Our last stop that evening was the Crescent French Restaurant in Shiba where Folio Inc. model agency was hosting a dinner party for Jerry Ford. He and his wife Eileen, who own the Ford Model Agency in New York City, were in the Far East as a result of Eileen being invited to be a judge at the Miss Universe Contest in Korea. She was still in Seoul, but joined Jerry in Tokyo a few days later. It was a glamorous get-together with many of Tokyo’s top foreign and Japanese mannequins, clients, photographers, hair stylists, make-up artists and people from the advertising world there. Familiar faces included French Cultural Attache Gerard Coste (who’s everywhere), Tats Nagashima, and Eiichi Yahata of Max Factor, very enthused about their new “Jenny’s Fall in Bright Color” campaign. Ford models can be booked through Folio Inc. here in Tokyo.

• The world-famous adventurer-mountaineer Christian Bonington made a 24-hour visit to Japan as a guest of Jardine, Matheson & Co. who is sponsoring his 1981 ascent of Mt. Kongur, in the far northwest province of Xinjiang in China. During his visit Jardines had a “drinks party” at the Imperial to introduce Bonington and his two companions, Dr. Michael Ward and Alan Rouse, both famous for their mountain-climbing expeditions.

• Fifty young people from Venezuela who make up the internationally known “Capella de Caracas.” They are traveling around the world on a cultural mission and gave a recital of Latin and South American music at Shinjuku Bunka Kaikan on July 30. I really appreciated the invitation and was sorry to miss this very special event.

• Herbert Rickman, deputy mayor of the City of New York, dropped by Tokyo a few days on his way to China where he was to represent The Big Apple’s Mayor Ed Koch.

• Herbert Rickman, deputy mayor of the City of New York, dropped by Tokyo a few days on his way to China where he was to represent The Big Apple’s Mayor Ed Koch.

WELCOME TO:

• H.E. Zuhair Mufti, newly arrived Ambassador of Jordan; here with his wife and daughter. Their two sons attend universities in the U.S. Ambassador Mufti has a very impressive diplomatic career as Jordan’s ambassador to Turkey, the U.S. and Denmark; he also served as his nation’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

• H.E. Susanta de Alwis, new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan, his wife, two daughters and one son. He has served as Head of Economic Affairs in the United Nations Division and Non-Aligned Division of Sir Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and Specialized Agencies, Geneva and UNIDO, Vienna, from 1974-78. He has been a career diplomat for 23 years, beginning his career as a newspaperman in Sri Lanka.

FASHION NEWS:

• I mentioned the Best Six which will be in Tokyo in late November, but didn’t get the names ’til I got to NYC. Here they are: Perry Ellis from the USA, Hubert de Givenchy from France, Zandra Rhodes from England, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake from Japan and Armani from Italy. Sponsors include Shiseido, who’s putting up most of the money, WWD Japan, Asahi newspapers and JETRO.

• Also hear that Gloria Noda’s on Bill Blass’ payroll now, so we should be reading about everything he’s doing in her Japan Times “The Column.”

• H.E. Zuhair Mufti, newly arrived Ambassador of Jordan; here with his wife and daughter. Their two sons attend universities in the U.S. Ambassador Mufti has a very impressive diplomatic career as Jordan’s ambassador to Turkey, the U.S. and Denmark; he also served as his nation’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

• H.E. Susanta de Alwis, new Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Japan, his wife, two daughters and one son. He has served as Head of Economic Affairs in the United Nations Division and Non-Aligned Division of Sir Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and Specialized Agencies, Geneva and UNIDO, Vienna, from 1974-78. He has been a career diplomat for 23 years, beginning his career as a newspaperman in Sri Lanka.