Photo: ITTO
Manami Oshima
It is with deep regret that ITTO announces the passing of Manami Oshima, after a long battle with cancer, on 29 March 2010. Manami worked at ITTO since the Organization’s founding in Yokohama more than two decades ago. Her good nature and skill with languages (fluent in English, Japanese and Spanish) served her well in the growing Secretariat of the Organization.
She performed a wide range of duties in ITTO, most recently holding a dual role as assistant to both the Office of the Executive Director and to the Communications Unit. But Manami will be best remembered by all who knew her for her bright personality and willingness to help anyone who crossed her path. Since many of those who encountered Manami (both in the Secretariat and among the delegates to the many ITTO meetings she serviced) were new to Japan, finding someone like her to help navigate the culture and the streets of Japan was a bit like finding a guardian angel. Now Manami is with her own guardian angel. She will be sorely missed by her family, her colleagues of many years in the Secretariat, and the many thousands of others who met her once or many times over her years with ITTO.
Rest in peace, Manami.
Anyone wishing to forward a message of condolences to Manami’s family can send it to itto@itto.int with the subject “Manami” and the Secretariat will make sure it is passed on.