Love Letter from Brussels
Happy Holiday Season & New Year! (No.28)
December 23, 2015
Approaching the End of 2015
2015 has almost come to an end. What kind of year has it been for you? Many things have happened, but as for me, I have the impression that the year started with the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Kishida to Brussels and ended with the simultaneous terror attacks in Paris in November. During the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit, we unveiled the logo for next year’s 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium at the meeting with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Reynders. After that, pin badges and a homepage were created and I feel that by now, the logo is familiar to most people. It’s a simple design with the flags of Japan and Belgium but because of that, it’s easy to recognize and it leaves a strong impression. I think it’s a great logo.
During the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ visit, we unveiled the logo for next year’s 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium at the meeting with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Reynders. After that, pin badges and a homepage were created and I feel that by now, the logo is familiar to most people. It’s a simple design with the flags of Japan and Belgium but because of that, it’s easy to recognize and it leaves a strong impression. I think it’s a great logo.
On the other hand, last month’s simultaneous terror incident, although in a different way, also left a strong impression. Belgium, especially Brussels, is also caught in this upheaval. The whole of Belgium, including Brussels, will remain on alert level 3 for the rest of the year, which is the second highest level of terror attack level after 4. This indicates that the terror threat will last for quite a while. As long as you live on this planet, this is a matter that no one can neglect. I would like to seek a strong will in everyone to “carry on with their lives while paying the necessary caution”
Friends in need
I received many different guests in my residence this year.
On the last two events at the residence, I invited two Belgians who were awarded an Autumn Decoration. One of them, Mr. Thomas Leysen, former chairman of the Belgium-Japan Association and top businessman, has worked to strengthen the bond between the two countries for many years. The other one is Mr. Daniël Ost, the most famous floral artist. Having visited Japan on over 100 occasions, he combines Belgian and Japanese sensitivity to create countless magnificent works.
Although they both have been incredibly active in their own fields for a long time, their common point is that they have been a friend to Japan at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
As chairman of the BJA, Mr. Leysen has led support projects in Belgium. Furthermore, right after the great earthquake, while many foreigners were leaving Japan, Mr. Leysen, as chairman of a company that was to have a board meeting in Japan, came to Japan to attend the meeting as scheduled.
Immediately after the earthquake Mr. Ost, struck by the damage done by the disaster, went to Japan to visit the affected area where one of his disciples was no longer able to arrange flowers having been overcome by the disaster. Mr. Ost slowly, taking his time, opened the heart of his pupil and showed the way to arrange flowers again.
These two people are truly “Friends in Need”. It was a great honor for me to award the Medal of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan to them.
The Ambassador’s Residence as the Forefront of Diplomacy
The Ambassador’s residence, apart from entertaining guests and treating them to Japanese food and drinks, is also a place to informally exchange ideas in a friendly atmosphere, making it so to speak one of the forefronts of diplomacy. When I try to count them, this year, on average, we had around 2 to 3 banquets per week. As in summer there is a vacation of over 1 month and as I also go on business trips about twice per month, we often had dinners on several consecutive days.
The ones who have been a great help in this are the Chef Mr. Kamiyama and the other staff members of the Residence. Mr. Kamiyama served as a chef since the time of the Ambassador before my predecessor, and while still young, he has acquired a lot of experience during his six-year stay in Belgium. He received training in French-style cooking but is also skilful in Japanese cooking. Both Mr. Leysen and Mr. Ost were truly delighted. I would like to use this occasion here to express my gratitude to Mr. Kamiyama and all of the staff.
In any case, a long year has come to an end. Everyone, please have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. For next year’s celebration of 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium everyone’s support is needed. I am counting on you all.
