G7
Visit to Canada by Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan
(June 17, 2025)
Top of Sulphur Mountain
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Cleanup activity with Japanese residents
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
1. The Official Spousal Program hosted by Mrs. Carney (The Second Day)
Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, the Spouse of Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru, visited Banff National Park as part of the Official Spousal Program of the G7 Kananaskis Summit. At the top of Sulphur Mountain, where reached by gondola, she enjoyed the magnificent nature spread out before her with the spouses attended.
She also attended a luncheon hosted by Mrs. Carney and deepened her friendship with the spouses.
2. Exchange with Japanese Residents in Banff (cleanup activity and discussion)
Mrs. ISHIBA participated in a cleanup activity around Central Park with Japanese residents in Banff who are engaged in the business including tourism industry and had discussion with them. During the 20-minute cleanup, she and other participants picked up about half a big bucket of garbage in total, receiving warm encouragement from the people of Banff. During the discussion that followed, Mrs. ISHIBA encouraged them, saying, "The cleanup activity was started about 30 years ago by volunteers of the then Japanese Chamber of Commerce here as a contribution to the local community, and now it has developed into an inclusive community event in Banff." Then She listened to them about the charm of Canada and the trend of tourism-related business there.
(Reference1) About Banff
Banff is the center of tourism in the Rocky Mountains, and the Canadian Rocky Mountain Natural Parks, including Banff, were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
(Reference2) Activities of Japanese residents in Banff
There are several travel agencies established by Japanese nationals in Banff, and about 800 Japanese nationals, including those who are on The Working Holiday Programmes, live in Banff.
In 1995, members of the Banff Japanese Canadian Chamber of Commerce then, started a cleanup activity as an activity to contribute to the local community, when Japanese tourists' visits to Banff slowed down, which was after Japanese long weekend in May so-called Golden Week. Although there was a temporary pause after that, this activity was passed on to the next generation and has continued to the present day. In 2022, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the town of Banff also started cleanup activity as part of Earth Day (April 22) events, and the Japanese residents in Banff has joined it to continue the activity.