Celebration of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium at the House of Representatives

On October 25, Ambassador Ishii, Minister Yamada and other diplomats attended a commemorative session of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

In his speech, Ambassador Ishii talked about his wish to strengthen the already strong collaboration between Japan and Belgium, while mentioning the close relationship between the two countries, the exchanges between the Imperial and the Royal families and the political and economic relations. At the start of the meeting, Honorary Professor of the KUL Prof. Vande Walle gave an introduction on the history of the exchanges between the two countries. Also, representative of both the BJA and the Nihonjinkai (Association of Japanese community in Belgium) were present and they introduced the history and ambition of each associations, as well as the exchanges between the corporations of both countries.

This commemorative session was organized at the initiative of the President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dirk Van der Maelen, and his collaborators as part of the celebration of the 150 Years of Friendship between Japan and Belgium and honoured by the participation of Mr. Siegfried Bracke, President of the House of Representatives and President of the Belgian Interparliamentary Union Bilateral Group for Japan.