Love Letter from Brussels
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“Talking about the future makes Demon laugh.”
(Nobody Knows Tomorrow.) (No.47)27/12/2016
Words of Gratitude
2016, the year of 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium is coming to an end. First of all, I would like to sincerely express my gratitude to everyone who has been so kind to help during this eventful year. Thanks to the support of the sponsors and the cooperation of many volunteers, the 150th anniversary year has been a wonderful year, taking our Japan-Belgium relations to a new height. I hope everyone has had the opportunity to enjoy the variety of events. Once again, my sincere thanks for your support.
What kind of Year Was It?
I think this year will be historically remembered as the year of the “unexpected” and the year that was “beyond expectations”.
Frankly speaking, the result of the British referendum this June that is for the Great Britain to leave the EU, was “unexpected”. Some 35 years ago, when I was still a rookie, I received my in-service training in the United Kingdom and some 10 odd years ago I also worked for more than 2 years in London, so I was certain that the people in the United Kingdom would make a wise decision, but that prediction turned out to be completely wrong. This unexpected result will have a profound influence on Europe’s future in different fields for many years to come.
We can also say that the result of the American presidential elections last November was “unexpected”. As I was working in Washington at the time of the 2008 presidential election and having had the opportunity to witness the process, the clear lesson I learned was that the result is uncertain until the very end. But I would be lying if I said I did not have any sort of premature prediction in the back of my mind.
From now on, though it is important to anticipate what is going to happen hereafter, It is more important to make clear what Japan wants to accomplish with the new US administration and, even more so, to explain that to the new administration in a way it would understand that doing so will be beneficial for the US as well.Well then, let us move on to the topic of “beyond expectations”.
I may be blowing my own trumpet here, but to say the least the celebrations of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium have been a success “beyond expectations”. It all started from the opening ceremony in January where we had the pleasure of having the company of the President of the Chamber of Representatives, Mr. Bracke as well as 2 of the 4 Deputy Prime Ministers. It was followed in February by the Salon des Vacances and in March by the Fukko Concert, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In the period April/May, Their Majesties the King and Queen delighted us with their visit to Ghent Floralies. In July there was the Ommegang and its parade in kimono. August was all about the magnificent Japanese designed Brussels Flower Carpet and the subsequent arrival of the training corps of the Japan Marine Self Defense Forces in the port of Antwerp. In September, Folklorissimo took place, on which occasion a traditional Japanese “hitatare” costume was given to Manneken Pis.
The highlight of the 150 Years of Friendship was without doubt the state visit of H.M. King Philippe and H.M. Queen Mathilde in October. For a period of 6 days, Their Majesties the King and Queen enjoyed the warm hospitality of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and at the same time they were delighted by the enthusiastic welcome beyond expectation which they received at each and every place they visited. My wife and I were travelling along TMs and keep splendid memories of the visit in our hearts.What Kind of Year Will Next Year Be?
Well then, what kind of year will next year be? In many ways I think the next year will be “the year of Europe”.
First of all, next year will be election year for some major countries in Europe. General elections in the Netherlands in March, Presidential elections in France in May, followed by German general elections in autumn. The outcome of these elections will have a great impact over the next few years on political and economic trends, not only in Europe, but in the world as well.
Furthermore, during next year, many important summit meetings will be held in Europe. In springtime, a NATO summit will be held in Brussels following the completion of its new headquarter building. In May, the G7 summit will be held in Taormina, Italy and in July the G20 will take place in Hamburg. All these summit meetings will also be opportunities for the new US President Trump and the leaders of the European countries to face each other.
Furthermore, if the UK formally notifies the EU as planned by the end of March about their exit, the future direction of the Brexit will become clear to a certain extent by the end of the year. Europe standing up as one, united and strong, with the ability to have a positive impact on international stability is also of great importance to Japan, so my hopes are on Europe.And Now Towards the Olympics!
Finally, let me come back to the Japanese-Belgian relations. This year was the year of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium, but next year will be again a new start. You could say that the next target is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Concerning the Olympics, Japan and Belgium have a curious connection. IOC President at the time, Jacques Rogge, who announced to the world that Tokyo had been chosen as the city to organize the Olympics was a Belgian. Exactly 100 years before the Tokyo Olympics, the city of Antwerp hosted the Olympics and it also marked the first time Japan earned Olympic medals. On the occasion of the State Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen to Japan, a memorandum for cooperation was concluded between the two countries’ Olympic Committees. I therefore expect that cooperation between both countries in many fields will intensify as time progresses.
By the way, although the final numbers are not yet confirmed, the number of Belgians who visited Japan in 2016 has even surpassed the highest number on record of 2015, easily exceeding the 30.000 people mark. I think this number will rise more and more “beyond expectation” as we are approaching the Tokyo Olympics.
To finish, I wish you all from the bottom of my heart a very happy new year filled with wonderful events of “beyond all expectations”! Thank you in advance for your support next year as well!
