Presentation 1 & 2

On the occasion of the Rotterdam-Japan Club meeting

Sep 21, 2011

1. Thanks to Rotterdam

It is a great pleasure for me to have a chance to address a speech in the meeting of the Rotterdam- Japan club.

Allow me first of all to share with you my thoughts, bringing me back some time ago this year, when just a month after the terrible disaster of March 11 in Japan, here, in the city of Rotterdam, on the 8th of April, an inspiring benefit concert for Japan took place. Organized and supported by the Rotterdam-Japan club, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Luxor Theater in Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Port Authority, the Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce, it finally resulted in a successful and generous event.

“Rotterdam helpt Japan” (Rotterdam Helps Japan) was the motto of the concert and yes, indeed, I was humbled by this expression of compassion and hearty feelings by our friends in Rotterdam. I strongly believe that their sincere sympathy has reached the hearts and minds of the Japanese people who have suffered most in the stricken areas of the Tohoku regions, and especially the youngest ones –the children of the Yamada Junior High School. I know that the token of solidarity sent from Rotterdam, will help the students in Yamada to play their music again, to dream, and to smile!

I would like to take this opportunity and to express my gratitude to the Rotterdam-Japan Club and to all our friends here in Rotterdam.

Since I joined the Foreign Ministry in 1972, almost 40 years have passed. In this period I have fulfilled diplomatic assignments in 3 Asian countries, in the United States, Canada, Honduras, two countries in Europe and various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. My last position before arriving at the Netherlands was  Vice- Grand Master of the Ceremonies at the Imperial Household.

I can remember my first official trip in 1972, which was actually to the Netherlands and then last year again, after so many years I had the opportunity to come back to this beautiful country as Ambassador of Japan.

In addition to our bilateral relations, the Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands is also involved with the work of international organizations in the field of peace, justice and security, having their headquarters in The Hague, like the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons (OPCW).  My former assignments in Europe were at the Japanese missions, one to the OECD in Paris, the other to the International Organizations- in Geneva.  I perform my present duties in the multilateral diplomacy here in The Hague, drawing on previous experiences to meet these new responsibilities.      

Looking back past one year, since my assignment in the Netherlands I would say it has been a turbulent year.

2. Review the Response for Disaster

It has been more than six months since a massive earthquake and devastating tsunami struck Japan on March 11. Today I would like to provide you first with information on the current situation in Japan and explain our efforts to overcome the difficulties brought with the natural disaster. Together with the support and cooperation of the Netherlands and other countries in the international community, Japan has done its utmost to provide relief and aid to the many victims in the disaster areas. Due to such support and cooperation, I feel the friendship between our two countries has been further strengthened.

3. Current Situation of Disaster

There were 4 Nuclear Power Stations and 14 Units around the epicenter. All units shut down automatically after the earthquake. However after the Tsunami, 4 Units including 1 unit which was in Periodical inspection could not perform cold shut down.

You might remember the Chernobyl nuclear accident was different both in its causes and in its situational aspects from Fukushima. In the Chernobyl incident, the reactor itself exploded, whereas in Fukushima the reactor underwent an automatic shutdown, no large-scale fires occurred, and there was only a limited release of radioactive material. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA also pointed out that the two accidents are different in these points. The amount of radioactive material calculated and released up to this point is far less than the one released during the Chernobyl incident. No individuals have died from radiation from Fukushima, and no incidents of radiation-related ailments have been reported, even amongst the residents of the areas near the station.

The vast majority of radioactive material was released in the short time span immediately following the accident, and the actual amount of radiation in the atmosphere is gradually decreasing. For example, in Tokyo the radiation levels have never reached a level where they would constitute a health threat, and they have also steadily dropped to a point of current measurements that are almost at normal levels. The Government of Japan will continue to monitor the radioactive material.

International organizations such as ICAO, IMO and WHO have objectively assessed the situation and stated that some measures, such as the limitations on travel to Japan, are not needed. We hope the governments and people around the world will have trust in such reliable information and react calmly to the situation, basing their decisions upon objective and established facts.

Fortunately, it is safe to spend time in regions of Japan that were completely unaffected by the disasters, and we hope that many foreigners will visit these areas of Japan for business, tourism, study, or other activities.

This chart shows the current situation of “Road map towards Restoration from the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, TEPCO”,  and we are now in the step two.

I will not go through all the details of this map but the basic policy is that by bringing the reactors and spent fuel pools to a stable cooling condition and mitigating the release of radioactive materials, we will make every effort to enable the evacuated people to return to their homes and for all citizens to be able to secure a sound life.

This Monday, “Minister for the Restoration from and Prevention of Nuclear Accident”, Mr. Goshi HOSONO, has stated in the IAEA meeting in Vienna: “We will move up the existing target period, and endeavor to achieve the cold shutdown by the end of this year”, which means a half month ahead of the schedule.

Regarding the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP, we have strived to publish most up-to-date information in a timely manner, including thorough reports from Japan to the IAEA, daily briefings for the diplomatic corps/foreign press corps in Tokyo and continuous updates on Japanese Government and Embassy web sites. We will continue to provide the international community with timely and accurate information in as transparent a manner as possible.

Especially, foodstuffs are closely monitored and their shipments are strictly controlled.  Ships are monitored in the port of Tokyo and Yokohama. In the meantime, false information should not impede normal economic activities which might otherwise prevent the economic recovery of Japan.  While it will take several more months before we can arrive at a more stable stage, we are making steady progress to obtain control of the nuclear power station.

4. Economic Impact

The estimated Economic Damage of the Earthquake has been calculated at proximately 16.9 Trillion yen.  (/110 YEN = 154 Billion Euro). The degree of the economic slowdown after the Great East Japan Earthquake is expected fortunately be much less than after the “Lehman shock”. 

Despite the stable provision of electricity, which is the very “blood” of our economy and society, and which is so important for our industrial activities, TEPCO lost 40% of its generation capacity after the Earthquake.

Thanks to the energy saving efforts of the public this summer, the peak demand was below the supply capacity of TEPCO, and we were not forced to take so-called “Rolling Blackout”.

Right after the disaster, a new problem emerged, which has never been expected. That is the supply chain problem. That affected industrial production not only in Japan but in some foreign countries as well. At present, 80% of the 91 production bases in the affected area have recovered the production levels to the pre-disaster period, or exceeded the former levels.

4. Recovery and Reconstruction

We make sure that Japan will recover from this crisis and emerge stronger than ever and establish a more vibrant and better Japan for future generations. It is our firm conviction that through the fundamental strengths inherent to the Japanese people and the friendship and support by the international community, we can achieve this without fail.

We are also determined that through our continuous contributions, Japan will certainly repay the warm and friendly assistance we have received from the international community around the world. We will work to the best of our ability to realize the reconstruction of Japan.

New Japanese Prime Minister Noda emphasized in his first Policy Speech last week “recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake are the greatest and highest priorities” for his Cabinet.

This graph shows the Production Index of mining and manufacturing industry. The industrial production has been recovering from the effects of the Great East Japan Earthquake at a speed faster than expected. Especially month-over-month rate of the Index in May was 5.7%.

The “Basic Guidelines for reconstruction in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake” was published on July 29. These guidelines constitute a blueprint for the Government and other actors to tackle numerous challenges in the reconstruction process. The Budget scale is 23 trillion yen ( 209 Billion Euro  )in the next ten years. One of its basic concepts is “reconstruction open to the world”.

With the support shown by the international community, Japan must move forward strongly and quickly on reconstruction efforts, and become an even more attractive country.

The disaster raised the awareness among people within and outside Japan of the intrinsic ties between Japan and the world. With this in mind, Japan must strengthen “KIZUNA”(reinforce bonds) with the international community, and aim for reconstruction in a manner open to the world.

5. Current Policies

At present, we have to overcome “two crises”, in addition to the one related to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the world economic crisis.  Since the March 11 disaster, problems such as constraints on electricity supply, the rapid appreciation of the yen, and the instability of international financial markets have occurred in a composite manner. Japan is aware of its risk of hollowing-out of the industries and exacerbating financial situation of the government.

So, in the Policy Speech the Prime Minister made reference to three pillars:

1) Reconstruction of the energy policy,
2)Implementation of bold countermeasures to the appreciating yen and industrial hollowing-out, and
3)achieving both economic growth and fiscal health.

There is also attention to the efforts to strengthen economic links with other countries. It is essential to ensure growth in the global economy, as part of such economic cooperation. Based on the "Basic Policy on Comprehensive Economic Partnerships" we will make strategic moves seeking to conclude high-level economic partnership agreements (EPA), such as the one between Japan and EU, in order to meet such challenges to ensure growth both in Japan and other economic partners in difficult times.

6. Future Development between Two Countries

As Japan gradually enters the recovery stage and emerges from the disaster of March 11, the Government of Japan now can resume the activities to promote Japanese culture.  I believe that these activities will not only symbolise the slow but steady recovery of Japan, but also further strengthen the bonds of friendship between our countries.

On January 11 to 15, 2012, the Dutch Tourism expo 2012 will be held in the Utrecht Jaarbeurs. The Embassy is planning to join this big event and exhibit a Travel Promotion.

Japan is and will remain open for business and travel. To promote business exchange and tourism is definitely one of the best ways to accelerate the recovery. I would appreciate it very much if such important business people around the table today as members of this club could be once again more positively engaged in the activities with Japan.

In 2012, the World Horticultural Exposition termed ‘Floriade 2012’ will be held in Venlo, Limburg for a six month period. Every 10 years this major horticultural exposition showcases economic, social, cultural and technical developments achieved at the time and draws attention from all over the world. We feel that this event is an excellent opportunity to present Japanese culture during the exposition period and throughout the year 2012. In order to deepen friendship of our two countries, we will co-operate closely with the Netherlands. We plan to invite a Japanese theatre performance with a floral theme to the Netherlands in 2012 of ‘Nihon Buyo’.

This performance is ‘Nihon Buyo’, a Japanese performing art featuring key values in Japan’s traditional culture such as beauty, simplicity, silence and space and shade. ‘Nihon Buyo’ or Japanese dance is an artistic dance based on the tradition of classical techniques transmitted from preceding forms of dancing art and performed also in most programs in Kabuki today. There are various schools of ‘Nihon Buyo’ in Japan. The Embassy would like to invite a dance troop organised by the ‘Nihon-buyo’ Foundation of Japan headed by Mr Senzo Nishikawa, a living national treasure of Japan. We have stated coordinating this event together with the Dutch promoter and hope to present this performance in the first half of March 2012 at various theatres in this country. Preceding the actual performance, a lecture demonstration class will be organised by Mr. Nishikawa and his team four times in the Netherlands.

To realize this event, the Embassy would like to request you, members of the Rotterdam-Japan Club seated here, for your support in promoting this event by joining it. It is the top quality performance by the top group. Any suggestions or offers of support would be appreciated. Through this cultural activity, I wish to further enhance and promote the cultural exchanges that so happily enriched cultures of both Japan and the Netherlands. 
Thank you for your attention.

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