FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - ANA Inaugural flight NRT to SJC in Business Jan 11, 2013
Old Jan 15, 2013, 9:38 am
  #6  
Carfield
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: New York
Posts: 7,315


Group picture before the ceremony took place - All the dancers are men, and the women dressed in kimono just helped out during the ceremony.


The podium at Gate 51



ANA Drum



The new SJC advertisement



Sake Wood Cups to commemorative the inaugural flight




The Sake Barrel – local sake to commemorate the inaugural flight


The list of guests attending the ceremony



US Embassy is sending the counselor for Commercial service, Gregory Loose, as the ambassador was actually in San Jose and flew back to Tokyo with the former Secretary of Transportation and House representative, Norman Y Mineta on the return inaugural flight, and they were doing a special promotional tour this week


The ceremony started at 4pm and here was the MC – very formal and spoke only Japanese. With the US service, I would expect at least one English speaking staff, but not surprised.


It began with a traditional Japanese dance, with men playing drums, and then flutes, and three men making movement and clapping their hands


Then they removed their hair bands and did some more dances.


Towards the end of the ceremony, the invited guests showed up and took their seats. They talked among themselves and some business cards were exchanged.
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