CNMI bids Saito a fond sayonara

Top government officials and business leaders got together Wednesday evening to bid farewell to retiring Japanese consul Takeo Saito.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta hosted the dinner at Aqua Resort Club in Achugao in honor of Saito, who will be leaving Saipan on Sept. 23, 2005.

Saito, who has headed the Consular Office of Japan in the Northern Marianas for over three years, will be replaced by Consul Kiyoshi Matsukai.

In his speech, Babauta paid tribute to Saito’s numerous contributions to building trade and tourism between the CNMI and Japan.

The governor gave Saito credit for developing a close relationship between the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Japanese community in the CNMI, for setting up two business investment conferences held by the Babauta administration in Tokyo, and for assisting Japanese investors who visited the Northern Marianas.

Babauta also noted Saito’s assistance in creating regulations concerning the tourism industry. He cited the passage of Public Law 14-6 as the consul’s “most visible achievement in promoting our economic relationship with Japan.” The law allows Japanese retirees to stay in the islands for 90 straight days, instead of only 30 days.

“But if I had to guess what is the most memorable achievement for our guest of honor during his years as consul here, it would have to be the visit of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko,” Babauta said. “You cannot imagine all the careful preparation the Emperor’s visit required. But Saito-san handled everything with diplomacy and grace and thoroughness. Thanks to you, Saito-san, the Emperor’s visit was a success for both Japan and the Marianas.”

Saito humbly thanked the governor for his kind words. “I enjoyed my three and a half years of assignment in the CNMI. It was the last portion of my career, and also the best part. I will bring back all the good memories I had here to Japan. I will miss you all,” he said.

To the surprise and delight of the guests, Babauta stepped up to the microphone and performed a rendition of “Mona Lisa.”

Saito returned the gesture and sang a traditional Filipino love song titled “Dahil Sa Yo,” drawing cheers and applause from the attendees.

Saito began his diplomatic career in 1969 as an attaché at the Embassy of Japan in the United States.

He then became First Secretary with the Japan Embassy in Iran, serving there during turbulent times that include the Iranian revolution, the overthrow of the Shah and the return of Ayatollah Khomeini, and the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

He spent a few more years in the Middle East, serving as Consul at the embassy in Yemen and then back to Iran.

After 20 years, the Japanese government sent Saito to Greece, then Vietnam.

Saito was appointed to Saipan in March 2002, two months after Babauta took office as governor.