First of all, in order to take a step further in our excellent relationship with the Netherlands I would like to promote the enhancement of closer dialogue in many fields. I would like to promote dialogue that is not just intergovernmental but includes the participation of a wide range of people including experts in various fields. These dialogues can cover a wide range of subjects including diplomacy, international security, economics and social affairs and global issues such as global environment. Using these kinds of dialogues I hope to make action programmes for concrete bilateral cooperation. Japan and the Netherlands, both mature democratic nations, not only have common values but also face common issues such as economic stimulation and the solution to an aging society. I believe that Japan and the Netherlands can bring together their respective wisdom and together open up a path to the next decade in the 21st Century.

Secondly, I would like to make sure that the Embassy will give its utmost support to the Japanese residents and Japanese companies operating in the Netherlands. I would like to strengthen contacts with the Japanese community in the Netherlands and would like to personally visit those Japanese companies. The intergovernmental discussion on how to create an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU is currently ongoing. Through these kinds of efforts the economic relationship between Japan and the Netherlands will develop and I will cooperate with you to improve the environment for Japanese businesses here.

Thirdly, I will endeavor to promote mutual understanding between Japanese and the Dutch people, which is essential to furthering our bilateral ties. On this note I would like to express my gratitude to the people of the Netherlands for the warm support, both physically and spiritually, they have shown us after the Great East Japan Earthquake and incident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in March last year. I will continue to strive to help the people of the Netherlands to understand how far we have come with the recovery and reconstruction after the earthquake and nuclear accident. Furthermore, I hope to show as many people in the Netherlands as possible the role that Japan has played in resolving issues in international relations, economics and social affairs through further efforts for public diplomacy. Additionally, I wish to further enhance the exchanges of culture and people. I would particularly like to promote mutual understanding and interaction through region-to-region cooperation. 

Fourthly, I will continue to strengthen activities corresponding to the unique role the Netherlands holds as a center for international cooperation through multilateral organization, especially in the area of  “rule of law”.  Also, while using my experience as Director-General of International Legal Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the past two years, I hope to strengthen our relationship with international judicial bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, as well as with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Fifthly, through these activities I would like to keep in mind my goal of promoting relations between Japan and the EU, and Japan and the whole European region.  International relations in the 21st Century are marked by the rise of emerging market economies but it is clear that Japan and the EU must together take the lead in international relations, based on our common values. I will promote such relations while advancing the friendly ties between Japan and the Netherlands.

These are my five main priorities of work to accomplish. I look forward to meeting and having conversations with each one of you at the Embassy of Japan to the Netherlands we will work together with you in  various areas and in many ways.

Thank you very much.

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