Opening Event of 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium at Blankenberge

On March 26, Ambassador Ishii and Mrs. Ishii, as well as Ms. Kurihara, attended an opening event of 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium held at Blankenberge, the Friendship City of the Japanese city of Minamiboso. In front of a ‘torii’ (Japanese traditional gate) which stands on one of the city’s squares and has “welcome” inscribed on it, Ambassador Ishii and the Mayor of Blankenberge Mr. De Klerck expressed their wish for the friendship between Japan and Belgium to continue. They then took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. As an opening event, an exhibition of Japanese Art which is held until May 15 was also opened in the city on the same day.