The Embassy of Japan hosted a reception in honour of the 76th birthday and 20th year of the reign of the Emperor Akhito at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Wednesday, plus lots more happening on the social scene.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie (left) explains how King Street will accommodate next Wednesday's Grand Market, prior to the start of the launch of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation's downtown Christmas shopping promotion, 'Christmas in the City, Downtown Comes Alive'. Looking on are (from second left) Councillor Lee Clarke, deputy mayor; Brenda Christie, representative of the downtown vendors; Milton Samuda, president, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce; Francis Kennedy, chairman, Kingston City Centre Improvement Company; and Errol Greene (partly hidden), town clerk. - JIS

University of the West Indies Professor Verene Shepherd is always fabulous, and at the Embassy of Japan's reception in honour of the 76th birthday and 20th year of the reign of Emperor Akhito at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Wednesday, she did not disappoint.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi and his wife, Yoko. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/ Freelance Photographer

Dr Lola Ramocan (right), early childhood development specialist at the United Nations Children Fund, speaking with Dr Eva Lewis-Fuller, director of the health promotion and protection division in the Ministry of Health, prior to the start of a forum at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday. - JIS

Sprint superstar Usain Bolt enjoys the company of Pulse models wrapped in couture designed by members of the Jamaica Fashion and Apparel Cluster. The occasion was the Best of Brand Jamaica reception staged recently by Bolt and Jamaica Trade and Invest at the Gran Bahía Princípe Hotel in St Ann.