The Palaceside Building New Year reception, where tenants and building staff deepen ties, was held on January 17 at Josui Kaikan next door, with about 100 people attending.
The 10th reception had two parts, a lecture and a mixer. In the first, actor and social activist Chizuru Azuma spoke on "Aiming for a 'mixed society' through entertainment." She described founding the general incorporated association Get in touch in 2012 to pursue a diverse society that excludes no one through art, music, film and stage. On the word "maze-koze" (mixed together), she said, "I named it after maze-gohan. You prep the shrimp, shiitake and other ingredients, then mix them with rice at the end and it becomes delicious." Society is the same, she argued: "If we make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, LGBTQ and other sexual minorities, and people in difficulty, each person's individuality can be lived while we mix together."
The mixer began with a toast led by Azuma, and attendees exchanged cards and deepened friendships in a warm atmosphere.