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Denver-Tokyo Inaugural Nonstop Flight Ceremony (June 10, 2013)
Consul-General Ono and Colorado political and business leaders attended a ceremony to celebrate the inaugural nonstop between Denver and Tokyo at DIA on Monday June 10, in a departure gate ceremony at DIA. The ceremony began with a Taiko drum performance, followed by remarks from dignitaries including Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Japanese Consul-General Ikuhiko Ono, along with executives from United and DIA. All expressed their high expectations that the nonstop flight, which Colorado has desired for more than 20 years, will help develop business and tourism relations between Asia and Colorado. After the speakers, the festivities included a ceremonial sake barrel opening, and the traditional ribbon cutting. Then, the economic mission headed by Mayor Hancock departed for Japan with inaugural B 787 flight. A group of representatives from Japanese community magazines was also in attendance at the ceremony, and later in the day paid a visit to the Consulate as part of a familiarization tour of Colorado.