On 25th June, I had the honour of attending a luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Tokyo – one of the oldest and most distinguished Rotary clubs globally, founded in 1920, and meeting weekly at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.
Invited and hosted by Rtn. Kimihide Ando – former CEO of Mitsubishi Corporation in Karachi, and Pakistan’s Honorary Investment Counselor in Japan – the experience was marked by warmth, protocol, and remarkable attention to detail. In advance, Rtn. Ando had kindly briefed me on the club’s dress code and decorum – jackets were required, ties recommended – reflecting the club’s emphasis on tradition and formality. At registration, my name and the flag of Pakistan were displayed; a thoughtful gesture signifying my official attendance. Seating was pre-assigned – a practice the club rotates weekly to foster stronger fellowship.
Another notable observation was the use of personalized name badges worn by all members, prominently displayed on their coat pockets. This allowed everyone to be addressed by their first names, fostering a culture of openness and familiarity. A name badge was also prepared for me and placed on my coat, making me feel immediately included in the circle of fellowship
A highlight was the cultural sensitivity shown throughout. I received a name badge, a green sticker to indicate halal dietary preference, and an audio translator to follow the Japanese- language proceedings. I was graciously acknowledged during the meeting, and witnessed a unique Rotary tradition: birthday wishes presented with live orchestral music.
Photography is not permitted during meetings, but during the fellowship hour I had the opportunity to exchange flags with the Club President. Both Pakistani and Japanese flags were placed on the table – a dignified symbol of international Rotary friendship.
I am deeply grateful to Rtn. Ando and the Rotary Club of Tokyo for their hospitality and for exemplifying the values of Service Above Self across cultures.
