Activities of RBA International2014
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Message from Chairman
RBA Activities that stand up against one’s inner desires
The year 2014 has seen frequent occurrences of painful incidents and conflicts, not just in Japan but all over the world. Instead of having patience and making efforts by looking into the future, people are only focusing on the issues that are right in front of them, who are only seeking the immediate gain. It can be seen as though a view of life that originates from self-centered heart does create these incidents and conflicts.
Such view of life, I assume, does not believe in others; it only believes in the self. It does not think about the future generations but has self at the center. The fundamental reason for such lies in the mentality that is unable to control the inner desires. The desire that wants to satisfy self; the arrogance with which the world is there for the self alone; and the cruelty that allows sacrificing anyone other than self, as a result, create these incidents and conflicts.
The preface of the Constitution of UNESCO states, “That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed”. This quote superlatively states the importance of fighting against the mentality that cannot control the inner desire, and shows us the path to peace.
Furthermore, Ervin Laszlo, the founder of the Club of Budapest says, “There can be no greater insight today than that peace in the world depends crucially on peace in our hearts. …Attaining peace within one’s heart is a fundamental precondition of attaining peace in the world.”
Despite these wonderful declarations and indications, however, I feel with my own skin that the past year had led us in the totally opposite direction as these. And this is why I hold a sense of mission to promote RBA activities, which can demonstrate the human culture that can defeat our inner desires.
We, RBA International, this New Year, will promote RBA movements, which are not constrained to any politics, religion or ideology, which can achieve equal and fair mutual understanding to defeat the inner desires. For every one’s “only one life to live”, we attach the importance to the values of “Is this a poison or a medicine?”, and we base ourselves once again on the dignity of life. This way, we will implement our words and realize the cultural movement that respects human, and science exchange that respects environment.
January, 2015
Specified Nonprofit Corporation RBA International
Nobuhiro Kume, Chairman
RBA International x Korea
Soul, Korea
【Dec 3rd】
On December 3rd, RBA International Chairman Kume and staff had lunch at Samcheonggak (三淸閣) with the President Kim Young Aeh of Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy.
This is the second time for an amiable meeting with her in Korea. Samcheonggak locates itself in the midst of a beautiful forest, Bugaksan, and it is known to host many overseas guests. It is a place where traditional Korean culture and art can be learnt, experienced and enjoyed, as well as the beautiful nature and Korean style housing.
On the day of the visit, it snowed in Korea from the early morning. We were welcomed with a Korean saying that snowing signifies a good omen and that your wishes will come true.
What specially touched our hearts during lunch was the President Kim’s words such that your country of origin, status, or position do not matter but your heart. She expressed it as “exchanging with heart to heart; not country to country”; “it is an exchange between a person to person”.
Speaking of world peace, or international exchange, what we should focus on is not the exchanges between countries, but between people. This lunch was not just a peaceful occasion with full of laughter, but has made us realize that President Kim building a relationship with Chairman Kume precisely leads to “exchanging with Japan”, and that it is a step forward in deepening the relationship between Korea and Japan.
During lunch it was discovered that the President Kim was a teacher of Korean flower arrangement. For this reason, the possibility of hosting a flower arrangement exhibition between Japan and Korea next year is to be considered.
Taking this opportunity to widen the circle of private sector exchanges and to deepen the friendship are what we, RBA International believe are important.
Samcheonggak
Tokyo Hilton Hotel
【Nov 21st】
The 4th RBA Ladies’ Evening took place at Tokyo Hilton on 21st November. We welcomed Mr. Kazuhiko Kiyose, the Director of Real Estate Industry Division of Land Economy and Construction and Engineering Industry Bureau, of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and H.E. Nenad Glišić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia for the evening.
Mr. Kazuhiko Kiyose, the Director of Real Estate Industry Division
H.E. Nenad Glišić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia
The Director Kiyose emphasized, how the used-distribution market is expanding due to Japanese prolonged life and aged-society; and how the image of the industry is changing with the naming change of “Real Estate Transaction Specialist” from April 2015. He then added, most importantly, that this industry is a place where women can find it easy to work; it is a workplace where women can succeed more. He wished that this was the case and gave encouragement to 170 ladies in the real estate industry, who attended the party that evening.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia attended the party because RBA Plaza※, which is to be opened in the early next year, will be serving Serbian Coffee. This coffee money will fully be donated to the children in Serbia via the embassy of Serbia. From Serbia, we also had a pianist, Nataša Mitrović, who was visiting Japan coincidently, where we were fortunate enough to ask her to attend and perform at the party.
The evening had many events: beautiful piano performance, its duet with the Ambassador’s guitar, flower bouquet gifts for November born ladies, and Christmas gift prizes for rock-scissors-and-paper game. The venue was filled with many laughter and happy shrieks.
A duet between the Ambassador and Nataša
When choosing a house, women’s voice gain more importance. Wives and mothers look after the family and protect the house. Just like women are capable of nurturing children in upbringing them, females can accurately give advice and make suggestions in creating a comfortable home by having a closer standpoint as wives and mothers. RBA will continue to hold RBA Ladies’ Evenings next year, too, so this industry could change into providing a better environment where females can succeed, and offer female specific care, attention and kindness as service.
Rock-scissors-and-paper game with Mr. Kume. The winner gets a Christmas present!
※ RBA plaza will open in Shinjuku. The plaza will provide services such as massage, nail care, flower arrangements to ladies who attended RBA Ladies’ Evenings, and those who work in the real estate industry.
Embassy of the Republic of Serbia
【30th Sept】
RBA International Chairman attended a piano recital at the Embassy of Serbia on September 30th. After listening to the pianist, Irina Naumovska’s strong and firm performance, Mr. Kume was so inspired; he has decided to support her art activities.
Her countenance during the performance was sharp, and you could see her passion for music. However, when she spoke she was all bubbly and always had a big smile on her face. We hoped that in supporting her, she would be able to continue making that beautiful strong sound of music.
RBA International who aims to promote an everlasting world peace for the generations to come through the promotion of culture, art and sports, have supported numerous artists in the past. We will continue to support artists and art which lead the world to peace from now on, too.
RBA International x Korea
Soul, Korea
【Aug 29th】
The Chairman of RBA International visited Soul, Korea on August 29th to have an amiable meeting with the President Kim Young Aeh of Korea-China Friendship Association of Culture & Economy.
This is the first time that a meeting with the President Kim became possible. They have met several times in China in the past but they have only greeted one another from a distance. In May 2014, they met again at the 60th Anniversary Ceremony of the Establishment of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and promised to meet in Korea.
President Kim welcomed Mr. Kume with a smile and called him “a friend”. In their conversation, they talked and agreed to cooperate with each other for the future of children in their countries.
It was unforgettable how the President Kim repeatedly mentioned in the conversation, “The most important thing is your heart”.
Despite being the President of Friendship Association of Culture & Economy between Korea and China, Japan is also a neighboring country of Korea. It is only natural that one wishes for the friendship and peace of Asia and of the world.
As if to prove that point, a meeting triggered a step forward together at the same pace towards deepening the relationship between Korea and Japan, for the friendship and peace of tomorrow.
At the 60th Anniversary Ceremony of the Establishment of the CPAFFC
From Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
【July 26th】
On July 26th, Mr. Tsogoo ENKHBAYAR, a graduate from a Russian University, arrived in Japan. He had been a secretary of one of key persons in Mongolia. RBA International will provide an environment for him to be able to concentrate learning the Japanese language for 2 years, in the hope to help nurture a capable person who can be a bridge between Japan and Mongolia.
Tokyo Hilton Hotel
【June 12th】
Japan Real estate Baseball Association, RBA Baseball Tournament celebrates its 26th year of establishment this year. Shinji Mouri, the Director-General of Land Economy and Construction and Engineering Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism gave Certificate of Commendations to 3 managing underwriters of Japan Real estate Baseball Association; Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Company, Limited, and Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, to commend their 25 year long endeavor in building mutual friendship of the industry. The Certificate of Commendation was also given to the Chairman Nobuhiro Kume of RBA International, as well as of Japan Real estate Baseball Association.
This Commendation Ceremony took place on the 12th June at the Lottery of Preliminary Tournament for the 26th RBA Baseball Tournament, before the Chairman Kume declared the opening of the tournament. Koichi Yoshida, the Deputy Vice-Minister for Construction, Engineering and Real Estate Industry who attended the party on behalf of Director-General Mouri, gave the Certificate to the representatives of the managing underwriters and to the Chairman Kume. Furthermore, one of the special guests, Motoi Sasaki, the Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Hokkaido Development, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism gave a speech during the party.
Koichi Yoshida, the Deputy Vice-Minister gives the Chairman Kume the Certificate of Commendation
With Koichi Yoshida, the Deputy Vice-Minister and the representatives of 3 managing underwrites
Motoi Sasaki, the Vice Minister gives a speech
The Certificate of Commendation
Tokyo Hilton Hotel
【June 12th】
On June 12th, 400 RBA related persons gathered at Tokyo Hilton hotel. This gathering had 3 purposes: ①Real Estate, Construction, and Housing Industry Get-Together, ②The Lottery of Preliminary Tournament, ③RBA Ladies’ Evening. As special guests, Motoi Sasaki, the Vice-Minister from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism attended the party, as well as other officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From embassies, we welcomed H.E. Nenad Glišić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, and guests from embassies of the people’s republic of China, Mongolia, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Republic of Benin.
Motoi Sasaki, the Vice-Minister from
the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
A table of internationalism with special guests
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Certificate of Commendations of Shinji Mouri, the Director-General of Land Economy and Construction and Engineering Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to 3 managing underwriters of Japan Real estate Baseball Association; Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Estate Company, Limited, and Tokyu Fudosan Holdings, to commend their 25 years long RBA activities. The Certificate of Commendation was also given to the Chairman Nobuhiro Kume of RBA International, as well as of Japan Real estate Baseball Association, for the efforts made in operating the baseball tournaments.
The presentation of the Certificate of Commendations
During this gathering, the combination for the 26th RBA preliminary tournamanet was decided. There are 36 participants in Wednesday block, and 22 in Sunday block; totaling 58 teams. The 3rd RBA Ladies’ Evening took place on the same night where many ladies attended the party, which made the event more gorgeous and relaxed.
The Chinese Ambassador's Cup The Thai Ambassador's Cup
The Monglia Ambassador's Cup The Serbia Ambassador's Cup
The Benin Ambassador's Cup
The combination for the priliminary tournament was shown on the big screen
Furthermore, 12 baseball team members of the Primary School Attached to Peking University; 3 people from The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; 3 teachers from the Primary School Attached to Peking University and 3 teachers from the Primary School Attached to Tsinghua University who were visiting Japan for the Japan-China Sports Exchange for The Big Three Anniversaries also atteneded the party, which added sense of internationalism to the party.
Children from the Primary School Attached to Peking University sing a Japanese Song, "Carrying You" from Laputa
At the end of the party with Chairman Kume's call, "Hip hip hurray!"
The Primary School Attached to Peking University Visits Japan
【Jun 10th~14th】
From the 10th~14th June, children from the Primary School Attached to Peking University visited Japan for 5 days to participate in the 2nd part of the Japan-China Sports Exchange for The Big Three Anniversaries, as Japan-China Friendly Exchange. The visiting members consisted of 12 baseball team members of the Primary School Attached to Peking University, who are between 4th~6th grade; 3 people from The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; 3 teachers from the Primary School Attached to Peking University, 3 teachers from the Primary School Attached to Tsinghua University and 1 RBA China staff, which totaled up to 22 people. The Primary School Attached to Peking University won the match against the Primary School Attached to Tsinghua University that was held in Oct 2014, hence, they won the tickets to Japan.
From the Japan side, Primary School Attached to Tsukuba University, Nishiukima Primary School in Kita Ward, Toyko and Nishiukima Eagles baseball team participated in this Japan-China Sports Exchange. At primary schools, Japanese children introduced various Japanese culture to children from China; they exchanged by playing dodgeball together in a physical education class; and they had a Japanese calligraphy lesson where they wrote hiragana.
At Primary School Attached to Tsukuba University:
Learning various Japanese culture: tea ceremony, origami, kendama, manga, etc.
At Nishiukima Primary School: writing Hiragana, "Uguisu" in a calligraphy class
Playing "it" outside in the hot weather
The weather was fortunate to hold a friendly match with the Nishiukima Eagles. Primary School Attached to Peking University struggled with Eagles’ steady and solid play and unfortunately lost the match. However, both children from Japan and China were taking pictures together and communicating with each other after the match, and seeing such heart-warming scenes we felt moments like these are what’s important and precious.
It's playball time!
For primary school children to have exchanges with children across the border is not an easy thing to do. Nonetheless, this was able to happen because we had every one’s generous cooperation. To strengthen the bond of Japan-China in our hearts, we are to continue contributing in the private sector.
The Japan-China bond
To be passed on undoubtedly
Children’s wishes
Which will reach 300 years from now
It is us, adults’ responsibility
To create a society for such children
To create a society for the happiness for such children
Nichido Gallery in Paris
【May 23rd】
RBA International visited Galerie nichido for a coverage, where personal exhibition by Ms. Toshiko Yokoyama took place.
This is the second time for her to have a personal exhibition in Paris. From all her beautiful works we are able to feel her soul and her strength, with her original characteristics and transcendental senses. Her reputation in Paris is great and we have received many positive feedbacks from them.
Ms. Yokoyama aims to provide cultural exchanges by using Japanese ink to express the backbone of Japan, “the ordered and coherent spirit of Bushido” and things that exist in between the West and the East, with a theme of “water, clouds and invisible things that support the universe”. Her life-long rich experiences, pride of being a Japanese, and her straight, lucid disposition with full of curiosity make her a very attractive person. Before she paints, she meditates to unify her spirit; bringing her energy and mind to the maximum. There are times where her meditation takes a lot longer than her actual painting time.
With further probing, she says firmly, “I wish to move people with a single line I paint”.
One of the main activities she is going to be involved in is to sing a song – a song that was composed from a poem she wrote titled “Oka-chan to Musume” (a mother and a daughter). This poem was written while nursing her own mother. Hence, it contains her deep emotions for her mother.
Ms. Yokoyama is very active and loves to challenge new things. RBA International will continue to support and publicize her.
(Her first exhibition article can be found from here)
Ms. Toshiko Tokoyama, with her work titled "Cherry Blossom"
"Water"
Galerie nichido
China, Beijing
【May 14th～16th】
RBA International Chairman Nobuhiro Kume, (also a CEO of Daisan Kikaku Inc.) together with RBA International Secretary General, Kimi Kume, were specially invited as honored guests to the 60th Anniversary Ceremony of the Establishment of The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) that took place between 14th – 16th May 2014. There were 400 guests from 48 countries for this commemorative ceremony.
In 2003, RBA International co-hosted “China-Japan Tea Ceremony and Flower Arrangement Exchange Exhibition” with the CPAFFC and since then has steadily organized numerous grass-root level exchanges with them in areas of culture, education, and sports, including calligraphy, scholarship to impoverished region elementary school children, baseball classes for the young, etc. The invitation to the ceremony could portray how these RBA International activities are highly appreciated by the President Li Xiaolin and the CPAFFC.
The ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, in his congratulatory speech expressed noble respect towards friends from overseas who cherish peace, and praised private diplomats for filling important positions of national diplomacy the past 60 years alongside the Association’s development. Former Prime Minister Hatoyama gave a congratulatory speech representing Japan; where about 100 guests were invited, accounting a 1/4 of all guests. This significant percentage alone, it felt like, conveyed the CPAFFC’s strong standpoint of seeing the friendship between Japan and China being a common wish for both countries.
On the following day, RBA International attended and observed the shooting of China Central Television’s (CCTV) special program on private diplomats titled, “Unforgettable 60 Years”, which was produced with the CPAFFC.
Congratulatory speech by The President Xi Jinping and the President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC
In front of the Great Hall of the People
At the China Central Television
Greeting the President Li Xiaolin after the shooting
Asahikasei Homes Wins the 12th Overall Victory After 2 Years
Mr. Kishita Gets Game-Winning Hit
The Pitcher, Konno Pitches a No-Hitter but Leaves the Mound on the Last Batter
【May 14th】
The 25th RBA Baseball Tournament overall final match took place at Tokyo Dome on May 14th between Ken Corporation and Asahikasai Homes, where the latter won by 2-0, defeating Ken Corporation in winning its 12th overall victory after 2 years. Kishita with 1 out, bases loaded in the 5th, got 2 run batted in, getting a game-winning hit. Asahikasei pitcher, Konno pitches a no-hitter until 2 outs of the 7th, however with one last batter left, leaves the mound. This command was surprising as there are many matches where games are turned around after 2 outs in the final inning. For the manager, Yamamoto to send a pitcher who never pitched, at the very end of the game was just unbelievable. It is certainly a decision that is possible to make with a strong trust between the manager and the team. Pitcher Shinonaga, however, had a fine strikeout.
Ken Corporation pitcher Ogasawara managed to hold down powerful hitters of Asahikasei, however regrettably allows runs on consecutive walks in the 5th inning.
There had been 5 overall final matches between these 2 teams in the past, of which Asahikasei Homes had won all. The 6th match victory also went to Asahikasei, making manager Yamamoto an overall victory manager in his first year of assuming the manager position.
Asahikasei nine tosses manager Yamamoto into the air
Glorious moment of victory (Pitcher Konno in the middle)
Asahikasei Homes winning its 13th block victory after 2 years
The Pitcher Konno, shows great energy-saving pitching, with 2 hits shutout
【April 23rd】
A re-match of the 25th RBA Baseball Tournament Wednesday Block Final took place on the 23rd April between Asahikasei Homes and Open House at Jingu Gaien baseball ground. Asahikasei Homes won by 2-0, winning its 13th block victory after 2 years. The pitcher, Konno had near-perfect pitching with great curve balls. The new manager, Yamamoto managed to lead the team to victory in his first year of assuming the position.
Asahikasei nine tosses their manager, Yamamoto into the air
Open House Pitcher, Kawasaki Asahikasei Homes Pitcher, Konno
A group picture with Mr. Hirai in the middle
Open House cheering parties
