Seiko Hashimoto ‘golfs’ with Chinese ambassador during Olympics diplomatic boycott row

On the early morning of Christmas Day, December 25, 2009, three people were enjoying a round of golf at the prestigious Three Hundred Club golf course in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. On December 25, 2009, in the early morning hours of Christmas, three people were enjoying a round of golf at this prestigious course: Seiko Hashimoto, 57, chairperson of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games; Fujio Mitarai, 86, honorary chairperson of the committee and CEO, chairman and president of Canon Inc.

The Three Hundred Club is the brainchild of Noboru Goto, the founder of Tokyu Corporation. The price of membership is said to be 70-80 million yen, but as the club’s name suggests, the number of members is limited to about 300, so it is not easy to become a member. It’s a prestigious club where only a limited number of people from the political and business world can become members,” said a golf journalist.

At such a prestigious course, the three of us were enjoying golf from early in the morning. Mr. Hashimoto wore a chic black outfit with orange gloves, showing his attention to detail. Mr. Mitarai wore a white cap and a navy blue knit. Mr. Kong wore a light blue cap with a gray top and bottom.

At around 9:30 in the morning, the group approached the 7th hole. It is a 335-yard long middle hole with a slight dogleg to the left (like a dog’s paw, it bends to the left). It is not an easy hole, but all three of us made steady progress. On the green, Mr. Hashimoto tried to make a long putt, but it was too close to miss and he laughed. While Mr. Mitarai was reading the putting line, Mr. Hashimoto and Mr. Kong were standing side by side watching from a little distance.

Mr. Kong professes that his hobby is golf. He has played many rounds of golf at the Three Hundred Club with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and others,” said a reporter from the political section of a national newspaper.

The group was in a relaxed atmosphere, chatting and laughing from time to time. They enjoyed playing golf until late afternoon and left the golf course after 2:00 p.m.

As we all know, the “diplomatic boycott” of the Beijing Olympics is causing a stir around the world. On December 24, the day before the golf tournament, the Japanese government announced that it would not send a government delegation consisting of ministers and senior government officials to the Beijing Olympics. On the other hand, Hashimoto and other members of the organizing committee took the “iridescent” approach of sending a delegation.

What was the reason why the chairman and honorary chairman of the organizing committee, as well as the Chinese ambassador, were playing golf in the midst of this turmoil? Journalist Tetsuo Suzuki explains.

The reason for the golf outing was to say to China, “We are sorry that we cannot send a government delegation to the Olympics to save face with the United States. But Seiko Hashimoto, who is also a member of the House of Councilors, will be there. Furthermore, the presence of Mr. Mitarai, a business tycoon, will be a sign that ‘let’s work well together on the economy. I can see the intention of sending these messages. I think the golf game was played with consideration and care for China over the diplomatic boycott issue.

Journalist Fumitaka Kunisada said.

China attaches importance to the rank and title of the other party. The fact that Mr. Mitarai, the former chairman of the Keidanren, who is known as the ‘prime minister of the business world,’ and who has received numerous medals from China, France and other countries, can show his ‘hospitality’ by personally entertaining the guests.

In late November, when the U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, China said, “China supported the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics with all its might. In late November, when the U.S. announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics, China rebuked Japan, saying, “China has fully supported the hosting of the Tokyo Olympics, and now it is Japan’s turn to show its basic faith.

On December 24, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while expressing some bitterness about Japan’s iridescent response, commented, “We welcome the officials and athletes of the Japanese Olympic Committee to come to China. It means that he has accepted Japan’s attitude for the time being.

The existence of this “entertainment golf” must have been behind this.

When this magazine asked Mr. Hashimoto’s office for an interview, the answer was as follows.

When this magazine contacted Hashimoto’s office for an interview, the response was as follows: “Due to his private life, we do not comment on his affairs.

Canon’s public relations department also responded as follows.

Canon’s public relations department also responded as follows: “As this is a private matter, we will refrain from commenting on it.

We also requested an interview with the Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but received no response by the deadline.

During the round, Mr. Hashimoto always walked one step behind Mr. Kong, which was impressive. It was as if he was symbolizing the power relationship between Japan and China.