New Year’s Greeting 2025 from Ambassador Minami
2025/1/1
Happy New Year to you all!
This is the second New Year's Day since I arrived in the Netherlands. I would like to extend my New Year's greetings to all of you.
This year marks the 425th anniversary of the exchange between Japan and the Netherlands, which began when the Dutch merchant ship De Liefde arrived in Oita in 1600. Japan has acquired a great amount of knowledge from the Netherlands over the years. This year, I would like to take the opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, which has remarkably deepened and developed in various fields, by looking back once again on the history we share. The Embassy has decided a logo to symbolize and celebrate the 425th anniversary. We hope that this will help to make the anniversary year more exciting.
In bilateral relations, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa visited the Netherlands in January last year. It was the first time in 11 years a Foreign Minister visited the Netherlands. She held a foreign ministerial meeting with then Minister Ms. Bruins Slot. In July, a summit meeting took place between former Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Schoof at the fringe of NATO Summit in Washington D. C., in which they affirmed they will promote cooperation within all areas, including security. In the defence ministerial meetings held in June and October last year, both countries agreed to cooperate in the field of security, including engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, in June last year, Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS TROMP called at Nagasaki and conducted a Japan-Netherlands bilateral exercise, further strengthening the political and security relations between the two countries.
In terms of economic relations, business exchange has been further boosted by the bilateral efforts between Japan and the Netherlands through for example the participation of Japanese companies in the Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam in May last year, and the efforts of Japan and the Netherlands in preparation for the Osaka Expo 2025. More than ten Dutch trade missions will be sent to Japan during the Expo, which starts in April. This will undoubtedly create further opportunities for exchange and cooperation. I believe that business opportunities are expanding in many different sectors.
Last year I have joined many Japanese cultural events such as the Japan Festival, the Japan Market in Leiden, Japan Day in Den Helder, as well as the Japanese pop culture festivals “AnimeCon” and “Abunai!”. These were precious experiences and opportunities to meet many Dutch fans of Japan. Along with the cooperation of Japanese residents and companies, the Japanese Speech Contest has now marked its 36th year. Symbolizing the 425th anniversary this year, we would like to facilitate many cultural activities for everyone to enjoy.
It was a great pleasure for us that Japanese judge Tomoko Akane was elected as the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague last March. As a country that upholds the rule of law as a pillar of its foreign policy, we intend to continue our contribution to the international peace, security and the rule of law through collaboration with the ICC and other international organizations.
Against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East this year we need to pay close attention to where Europe and the Netherlands are heading and how they will affect the international community. In this context, I think this is an important responsibility for us, the Embassy of Japan, to deepen and develop the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands.
With the cooperation and understanding of Japanese nationals in the Netherlands, we, the staff of the Embassy, strive to fulfil our Embassy’s responsibilities.
I would like to conclude my New Year's greetings by wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.
This is the second New Year's Day since I arrived in the Netherlands. I would like to extend my New Year's greetings to all of you.
This year marks the 425th anniversary of the exchange between Japan and the Netherlands, which began when the Dutch merchant ship De Liefde arrived in Oita in 1600. Japan has acquired a great amount of knowledge from the Netherlands over the years. This year, I would like to take the opportunity to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries, which has remarkably deepened and developed in various fields, by looking back once again on the history we share. The Embassy has decided a logo to symbolize and celebrate the 425th anniversary. We hope that this will help to make the anniversary year more exciting.
In bilateral relations, former Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa visited the Netherlands in January last year. It was the first time in 11 years a Foreign Minister visited the Netherlands. She held a foreign ministerial meeting with then Minister Ms. Bruins Slot. In July, a summit meeting took place between former Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Schoof at the fringe of NATO Summit in Washington D. C., in which they affirmed they will promote cooperation within all areas, including security. In the defence ministerial meetings held in June and October last year, both countries agreed to cooperate in the field of security, including engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, in June last year, Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS TROMP called at Nagasaki and conducted a Japan-Netherlands bilateral exercise, further strengthening the political and security relations between the two countries.
In terms of economic relations, business exchange has been further boosted by the bilateral efforts between Japan and the Netherlands through for example the participation of Japanese companies in the Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam in May last year, and the efforts of Japan and the Netherlands in preparation for the Osaka Expo 2025. More than ten Dutch trade missions will be sent to Japan during the Expo, which starts in April. This will undoubtedly create further opportunities for exchange and cooperation. I believe that business opportunities are expanding in many different sectors.
Last year I have joined many Japanese cultural events such as the Japan Festival, the Japan Market in Leiden, Japan Day in Den Helder, as well as the Japanese pop culture festivals “AnimeCon” and “Abunai!”. These were precious experiences and opportunities to meet many Dutch fans of Japan. Along with the cooperation of Japanese residents and companies, the Japanese Speech Contest has now marked its 36th year. Symbolizing the 425th anniversary this year, we would like to facilitate many cultural activities for everyone to enjoy.
It was a great pleasure for us that Japanese judge Tomoko Akane was elected as the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague last March. As a country that upholds the rule of law as a pillar of its foreign policy, we intend to continue our contribution to the international peace, security and the rule of law through collaboration with the ICC and other international organizations.
Against the backdrop of the invasion of Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East this year we need to pay close attention to where Europe and the Netherlands are heading and how they will affect the international community. In this context, I think this is an important responsibility for us, the Embassy of Japan, to deepen and develop the relationship between Japan and the Netherlands.
With the cooperation and understanding of Japanese nationals in the Netherlands, we, the staff of the Embassy, strive to fulfil our Embassy’s responsibilities.
I would like to conclude my New Year's greetings by wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.