Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and his wife are a picture of elegance as they welcome their guests. RIGHT: Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata (left) shares a toast with Minister of Agriculture and Land Roger Clarke.

Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

The Ambassadors from various countries turned out in their numbers last Wednesday night to observe the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Decked out in their little black dresses with a hint of colour here and there, the ladies lit up the Talk of the Town with their smiles and chatter.

The men dressed in their dark suits also added flavour, with their baritone voices buzzing throughout the room, like music to the ear.

Newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica, Masahiro Obata, entertained his guests in fine style with a variety of cultural as well as Jamaica-styled cuisine, which had people coming back for several servings.

Gathering of ambassadors

With his petite wife by his side, he hosted what could simply be the largest gathering of ambassadors for the Christmas season.

When Ambassador Obata officially welcomed the guests, he pledged the continued support of the Japanese Government for funding development projects in Jamaica.

"Under my watch, the grant programme will continue to support grassroots people and communities in Jamaica ... I am sure we can count on the continued cooperation of the Jamaican people to foster a friendly engagement between our two countries," Mr. Obata said.

He also announced that after 40 years of waiting, the Emperor, now 70 years old, had finally had a son.

Among the many black tie, gorgeous guests were: Colombian Ambassador Kent Francis and his wife, Argentinean Ambassador Mario José Piño, Spanish Ambassador Jésus Silva, and Brazilian Ambassador Cezar Amaral.

Female ambassadors included Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda, Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia Rivera and Dominican Republic's Ambassador, Filomena Navarro.

The presence of several members of the Government and the Opposition party also added a little oomph to the gathering. Minister of Agriculture and Land Roger Clarke, Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Omar Davies and Minister of Transport, Water, Housing and Works, Bobby Pickersgill represented well.

On the Opposition side were Spokesman on Finance Audley Shaw, General Secretary of the JLP Karl Samuda, Member of Parliament for Central Clarendon Mike Henry, and Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Anthony Johnson also paid their respects.