On the afternoon of May 25, the Jamaican Ambassador, Ms. Claudia C. Barnes, accompanied by her secretary Ms. Sawako Toyama, visited the Min-On Culture Center for the first time. They were welcomed in the museum hall by Min-On President Hiroyasu Kobayashi and staff members of the Min-On Concert Association.
At the beginning of a formal meeting, Ambassador Barnes remarked that she was deeply touched by the heartfelt welcome and warm hospitality shown by everyone at the Min-On Concert Association. In the course of discussions, she recalled that she had been greatly impressed and inspired by the ideals of Min-On founder, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda. She also promised that the Embassy of Jamaica would fully support Min-On to bring about a successful cultural exchange between Jamaica and Japan this autumn.
After the meeting, Ambassador Barnes was given a tour of the Music Museum, and viewed the antique pianos and music boxes. Listening to the song Mother played on one of the antique pianos, Ambassador Barnes remarked that she found the song’s lyrics, written by Dr. Ikeda, deeply moving, especially as her own mother had recently passed away.