Thank You for Everything (No. 50)
21/03/2017
On March 3, I received the official announcement of my departure from office by the end of this month. Since I took up my post in September 2014, I have worked here for about 2 years and a half and I have genuinely enjoyed it, both professionally as well as privately. I believe this is thanks to everyone’s support and friendship. Everyone, I am truly grateful to you. Thank you so much for everything.
Looking back on the past two years and a half, it is packed with memories. In December 2014, less than three months after my arrival, I remember preparing in a few days the sudden visit of Her Majesty the Empress who came over to attend the funeral of Queen Fabiola. It was a good opportunity to understand, not rationally but rather intuitively, how special and close the relation is between Japan and Belgium, and the Imperial and Royal Families in particular.
 After all is said and done, 2016, the year of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium, was a year I will always remember. It began with the opening ceremony in January, attended by the President of the Belgian Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and others, and throughout the year we organized many different events. While highlighting the friendship between the two countries, I believe we were able to create opportunities for the Belgians to get to know Japan better.
This was made possible thanks to the cooperation of many Japanese and Belgian people. We received tremendous support from many sponsors. Without the help of the volunteers, many events would not have been possible. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again from my heart.
 Among those events, the State Visit of their Majesties the King and Queen of Belgian was the highlight. During one’s term as Ambassador, one does not often have the opportunity to welcome the sovereign of the country of assignment as a state guest to Japan.  I think I was very fortunate to have such an honor during my first post as Ambassador. In any case, it was truly a rare experience to keenly feel, just by being present, the respect, affection and friendship that exists between the four Majesties.
 In the morning of March 22 of the celebration year, a series of terrorist attacks took place in Brussels, resulting in the loss of more than 30 precious lives. It was a small mercy that there had not been a single casualty among the more than 6.000 Japanese residents in Belgium, but these incidents did not occur without having an impact on the image of Belgium in Japan. However, it is in difficult times that friendship and unity are put to the test. In the beginning of May, less than 2 months after the attacks, Prime Minister Abe made a visit to Brussels and went straight from the airport to the Maelbeek metro station to lay a wreath, as a clear token of the unity between Japan and Belgium.
 Speaking of unity, we should not forget the “FUKKO Concert”, held every year since 2011 in Brussels to support the recovery of the areas struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Last year, for the 5th year of commemoration, Mrs. Yuzuko Horigome called out to world famous musicians, who arranged their schedules to come over especially for this day. Furthermore, this concert is planned to be continued, as another proof of Japanese-Belgian friendship.
My next post will be in Indonesia. Although it is rainy, just like in Belgium, I will be working in a very hot country with temperatures around 25 degrees throughout the year. While the capital, Jakarta is showing great development, with skyscrapers standing in rows, it seems that beautiful nature still remains in this vast and wonderful country. Everyone, if you have the opportunity, please come and pay me a visit! After first travelling to Tokyo by direct flight of course.
Once again, thank you so much for everything! Wherever I may be, I wish that everyone may have a splendid future coming their way!
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