RIYADH — The Japanese Embassy on Tuesday hosted a reception to mark the 81st birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan.
The Japanese celebrate their emperor’s birthday on Dec. 2 as the country’s National Day.
Many Saudi government officials and guests from different sectors as well as representatives from diplomatic corps attended the reception held at the ambassador’s residence.
Riyadh Emir Prince Turki Bin Abdullah represented the Saudi government. Mohammed Al-Jasser, minister of economy and planning, was also present.
Welcoming the guests, Japanese Ambassador Jiro Kodera said: “Japan and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed friendly relations over the last 60 years.
In particular, the Japanese Imperial Family and the Saudi Royal Family have maintained cordial relationship. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman officially visited Japan earlier this year. Luckily enough, I closely witnessed the visit in Tokyo as the ambassador.”
He said this visit renewed his strong belief that Japan and Saudi Arabia will expand their oil-based, economy-oriented relations into a comprehensive partnership.
“In other words, we will collaborate, co-prosper and co-exist in all areas, and at the same time we value harmony and tolerance in our relations,” Kodera said.
“I am really happy to have had a chance to work as the ambassador of Japan in this great and wonderful country.
I appreciate very much warm friendship and sincere cooperation extended to me by all of you. I will cherish to memory of working together with you.”
He pointed out that 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-Saudi diplomatic relations.
“We will exert as much effort as possible to make this special year memorable.
Please feel free to visit our embassy and our event in Saudi Arabia, and join us for accelerating our momentum toward the comprehensive partnership,” Kodera said.
The ambassador concluded his speech by wishing the best of health for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Crown Prince Salman and prosperity for the Saudi people.
Every National Day, the Embassy of Japan holds various cultural events to introduce modern and traditional Japanese culture into the Kingdom.
Well-known Japanese calligrapher, Tosen Usuda, demonstrated the stroke of brush for Riyadh Emir Prince Turki Bin Abdullah.
Usuda and his accompanying delegation, which included Shuya Yamada, another distinguished Japanese calligrapher, and Shinkichi Okada, secretary-general of the Association International Advancement Calligraphic Culture, also made the same demonstration at last year’s National Day reception.
Traditional art and crafts sent by the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries and Toyone Village, which has become a friendship partner of Saudi Arabia since EXPO 2005 in Aichi prefecture, was exhibited.
The embassy also exhibited memorial photos that explain the 60-year history of bilateral relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia. — SG
Envoy sees Saudi-Japan ties expanding into a comprehensive partnership | Kingdom | Saudi Gazette
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