New Year’s Greeting 2023 from Ambassador Horinouchi
2023/1/1
Dear everyone,
Let me start by wishing you a happy New Year.
It is my fourth time to celebrate the New Year here since I took office in the Netherlands. In my New Year’s Greeting, I would like to take the chance to reflect upon the past year and discuss my ambitions for the coming year as well.
Last year, the restrictions related to the COVID-19 were largely lifted and 'daily life' finally returned. On the other hand, the world situation changed markedly with the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February. In addition to the loss of many innocent lives in Ukraine, problems such as rising prices and food shortages have arisen around the world. I hope that the tragedy in Ukraine will soon be over and a peaceful world will return.
As for politics, the fourth Rutte cabinet was formed in January last year after the longest coalition negotiations in the post-war period. Currently, the ruling party has a minority in the Senate, a so-called 'divided' situation, so it remains to be seen whether the four ruling parties will be able to secure a majority in the 15 March elections to the Provincial Council, which will effectively determine the outcome of the Senate elections in May this year. In addition, last year there were a number of demonstrations by farmers against the government's nitrogen policy, and there are still differences of opinion within the ruling party about the cabinet's policy, so it will be interesting to see how it responds.
On the topic of bilateral relations, two bilateral foreign ministerial meetings between Japan and the Netherlands took place last year. In July, Foreign Minister Hayashi met with Foreign Minister Hoekstra at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Indonesia, where Minister Hayashi expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation in dealing with Russia's invasion against Ukraine and in realizing a 'free and open Indo-Pacific'. He stated that he would like to further strengthen cooperation in response to Russia's invasion against Ukraine and to realize a 'free and open Indo-Pacific'. The two ministers agreed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was an outrage that shakes the very foundations of the international order, and confirmed that the two countries would further strengthen their cooperation. They also met in September when Foreign Minister Hoekstra attended the state funeral of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Minister Hayashi thanked Foreign Minister Hoekstra for his condolences.
Regarding the economic ties between our two countries, since last spring, we have entered the so-called 'with corona' phase, and I believe that business has normalized to a certain extent, as the traffic between the two countries has started to increase. On the other hand, we continue to face difficult situations, such as the significant depreciation of the yen and global inflation, and I believe that cooperation between our two countries is important at such times. This year, I will continue our efforts to strengthen and develop the economic relationship between the Netherlands and Japan.
As for the cultural and PR activities of the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Festival was held in June last year for the first time in three years. At the Embassy's booth, which provided Japan-related information, many visitors sought tourist information and expressed their desire to visit Japan as soon as possible, showing the high level of interest in Japanese culture and art. The Embassy of Japan is also making efforts to introduce Japanese culture and other information to the outside world through social networking services. In addition to our Facebook and YouTube channels, we also started a new Twitter account last year, which we hope you will follow. We are also planning to hold a Japanese speech contest, which is usually held with the cooperation of Japanese-related companies and organisations. We would like to continue to promote friendship between Japan and the Netherlands through these projects.
Meanwhile, with regard to the security situation, during the past year there have been terrorist incidents in Europe, and it cannot be ruled out that the Netherlands may be targeted by terrorism. In addition to terrorism, there have been other incidents that may harm you, such as shootings and bombings in the streets, and there have also been a number of general crimes, such as theft by mugging, phone fraud and cybercrime, which require continued attention to personal safety. The safety of Japanese nationals in the country is the highest priority for the Embassy of Japan, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure their safety, including providing timely and appropriate security information.
Last year, the activities of international organisations in the Netherlands were strongly affected by major changes in world affairs, with cases involving Ukraine being referred to both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). In particular at the ICC, Japan referred a case to the Court for the first time. This year, too, we will continue to make positive contributions to the spread of the rule of law, which is a pillar of Japan's foreign policy, in the field of international justice.
At the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has raised concerns from many States Parties regarding the use of chemical weapons and the threat of proliferation of industrial toxic substances. Discussions are continuing on the use of chemical weapons in Syria and the use of toxic substances against Russian anti-government activist Mr. Navalny. Against this backdrop, the Fourth Review Conference at the OPCW which is held every five years, will be held in May this year. We will continue to contribute and make efforts for the international initiatives and the prohibition and non-proliferation of chemical weapons.
Finally, I’m scheduled to leave my post in the second half of January, having been issued with a call to return to Japan at the end of last year. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm support that I have received from everyone during my three-plus years of service. In 2023, I will continue to keep a close eye on the various developments surrounding Japan and the Netherlands, and all of us at the Embassy of Japan will work together to fulfil our responsibilities as an embassy. I would like to conclude my New Year's greetings by wishing you a happy, prosperous and above all, healthy year.
Let me start by wishing you a happy New Year.
It is my fourth time to celebrate the New Year here since I took office in the Netherlands. In my New Year’s Greeting, I would like to take the chance to reflect upon the past year and discuss my ambitions for the coming year as well.
Last year, the restrictions related to the COVID-19 were largely lifted and 'daily life' finally returned. On the other hand, the world situation changed markedly with the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February. In addition to the loss of many innocent lives in Ukraine, problems such as rising prices and food shortages have arisen around the world. I hope that the tragedy in Ukraine will soon be over and a peaceful world will return.
As for politics, the fourth Rutte cabinet was formed in January last year after the longest coalition negotiations in the post-war period. Currently, the ruling party has a minority in the Senate, a so-called 'divided' situation, so it remains to be seen whether the four ruling parties will be able to secure a majority in the 15 March elections to the Provincial Council, which will effectively determine the outcome of the Senate elections in May this year. In addition, last year there were a number of demonstrations by farmers against the government's nitrogen policy, and there are still differences of opinion within the ruling party about the cabinet's policy, so it will be interesting to see how it responds.
On the topic of bilateral relations, two bilateral foreign ministerial meetings between Japan and the Netherlands took place last year. In July, Foreign Minister Hayashi met with Foreign Minister Hoekstra at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Indonesia, where Minister Hayashi expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation in dealing with Russia's invasion against Ukraine and in realizing a 'free and open Indo-Pacific'. He stated that he would like to further strengthen cooperation in response to Russia's invasion against Ukraine and to realize a 'free and open Indo-Pacific'. The two ministers agreed that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was an outrage that shakes the very foundations of the international order, and confirmed that the two countries would further strengthen their cooperation. They also met in September when Foreign Minister Hoekstra attended the state funeral of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Minister Hayashi thanked Foreign Minister Hoekstra for his condolences.
Regarding the economic ties between our two countries, since last spring, we have entered the so-called 'with corona' phase, and I believe that business has normalized to a certain extent, as the traffic between the two countries has started to increase. On the other hand, we continue to face difficult situations, such as the significant depreciation of the yen and global inflation, and I believe that cooperation between our two countries is important at such times. This year, I will continue our efforts to strengthen and develop the economic relationship between the Netherlands and Japan.
As for the cultural and PR activities of the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Festival was held in June last year for the first time in three years. At the Embassy's booth, which provided Japan-related information, many visitors sought tourist information and expressed their desire to visit Japan as soon as possible, showing the high level of interest in Japanese culture and art. The Embassy of Japan is also making efforts to introduce Japanese culture and other information to the outside world through social networking services. In addition to our Facebook and YouTube channels, we also started a new Twitter account last year, which we hope you will follow. We are also planning to hold a Japanese speech contest, which is usually held with the cooperation of Japanese-related companies and organisations. We would like to continue to promote friendship between Japan and the Netherlands through these projects.
Meanwhile, with regard to the security situation, during the past year there have been terrorist incidents in Europe, and it cannot be ruled out that the Netherlands may be targeted by terrorism. In addition to terrorism, there have been other incidents that may harm you, such as shootings and bombings in the streets, and there have also been a number of general crimes, such as theft by mugging, phone fraud and cybercrime, which require continued attention to personal safety. The safety of Japanese nationals in the country is the highest priority for the Embassy of Japan, and we will continue to do all we can to ensure their safety, including providing timely and appropriate security information.
Last year, the activities of international organisations in the Netherlands were strongly affected by major changes in world affairs, with cases involving Ukraine being referred to both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). In particular at the ICC, Japan referred a case to the Court for the first time. This year, too, we will continue to make positive contributions to the spread of the rule of law, which is a pillar of Japan's foreign policy, in the field of international justice.
At the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has raised concerns from many States Parties regarding the use of chemical weapons and the threat of proliferation of industrial toxic substances. Discussions are continuing on the use of chemical weapons in Syria and the use of toxic substances against Russian anti-government activist Mr. Navalny. Against this backdrop, the Fourth Review Conference at the OPCW which is held every five years, will be held in May this year. We will continue to contribute and make efforts for the international initiatives and the prohibition and non-proliferation of chemical weapons.
Finally, I’m scheduled to leave my post in the second half of January, having been issued with a call to return to Japan at the end of last year. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the warm support that I have received from everyone during my three-plus years of service. In 2023, I will continue to keep a close eye on the various developments surrounding Japan and the Netherlands, and all of us at the Embassy of Japan will work together to fulfil our responsibilities as an embassy. I would like to conclude my New Year's greetings by wishing you a happy, prosperous and above all, healthy year.
Ambassador HORINOUCHI Hidehisa