Ambassador Shimokawa’s Visit to Province of Antwerp

On February 23, Ambassador Shimokawa made a courtesy visit to Ms. Cathy Berx,  Governor of the Province of Antwerp. They exchanged views on the challenges that the Province is facing, and Ambassador Shimokawa requested further support to Governor Berx to ensure the safety of Japanese expatriates and to improve the business environment for Japanese companies in the Province.
On the same day, Ambassador Shimokawa visited the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) where he received a presentation from the AWDC on Antwerp’s diamond industry, a driving force of the Belgian economy, followed by a visit to related institutions, such as HRD Antwerp, a diamond grading laboratory and the Diamond Office. The latter is responsible for the screening procedures of all import and export of diamonds in Belgium. The AWDC expressed their strong interest in the Japanese diamond market.