At the beginning of the new year, I would like to share this message with you.

It has been a little over one year since I arrived in the Netherlands -  it has passed so quickly. The earthquake and tsunami that hit East Japan in March last year and the subsequent accident at the nuclear power plant exceeded all expectations in its calamitous impact and brought about numerous victims and tremendous damage.  As the first anniversary approaches, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences again to the victims of this terrible disaster.  On behalf of the people and government of Japan I would also like to express my deep gratitude to our Dutch friends and the Japanese community here in the Netherlands for their moral and material support.

Japan and the Netherlands enjoy exchanges in broad areas, starting from the Imperial and Royal Families and, despite current severe economic stagnation, exchanges in political, economic and cultural areas continue to deepen year after year.  In the economic areas between our two countries, in particular, it is to be noted that a new Tax Treaty between Japan and the Netherlands entered into force on December 29 of last year, applicable January 1st this year. As for the exchanges in cultural areas, as many of you may know, Floriade 2012, an international horticultural exhibition, will be held in Venlo, Limburg  this year.  The Government of Japan has officially decided to participate in this exhibition and will present some examples of Japanese horticulture and will hold some cultural events. Japan will further present some of its traditional arts in the Netherlands such as ‘Nihon Buyo’ throughout the year 2012.  In this way my embassy will endeavour to create bright news from the Netherlands as much as possible.

In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful new year in 2012.

Page Top