Letter from Ambassador, March - “Remembering a decade ago and looking ahead for 10 years to come”
2021/3/31
Dear Friends,
I hope that this letter will find you well as we can feel and touch arrival of spring day by day. Here in Denmark, the commencement of summer time suddenly makes daytime much longer.
In March, there were the graduation ceremonies at Japanese School in Aarhus and Copenhagen respectively. Those who graduated have made a new step forward to the next stage of one’s life so proudly. Of course, they were no exception who made sacrifice and remained so patient in the past year due to COVID-19, missing much awaited school events such as sports day and Christmas performances and so on. Like it or not, they are just going through common experience, thus in 10 years’ time, wherever they will be in the world, they can talk and ask each other what they were doing 10 years ago. I would like to congratulate them on their graduation, wishing that they will build better future of Japan, Denmark and the world.
This month also marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. H.E. Mr. Jeppe Kofod, Foreign Minister of Denmark tweeted as follows;
“Remembering those who lost their lives, those who continue to be affected by Tohoku earthquake and tsunami 10 years ago. Glad Denmark could help children of Higashi Matsushima and play a small role the recovery of the city.”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik visited the affected areas and encouraged people from children to adults only three months after the disaster. The rescue experts from the Denmark Emergency Management Agency flew to Japan immediately after the earthquake and coordinated EU assistance to Japan. So many Danish friends from business, the Government, the Red Cross and others provided help and heart-warming encouragement. It is indeed such constant spirit of solidarity and friendship that have been underpinning our excellent and amicable relations between Denmark and Japan. I would like to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our Danish friends.
For Denmark, 11 March 2021 was an anniversary of the introduction of lockdown measures against COVID-19. I pay a special tribute to Danes for their community spirit, the willpower to try to complete what one has decided to do, the attitude not to forget appreciating humor and respecting culture despite prolonged challenges brought about lockdown among others. There must be some minute differences between Danes and Japanese, however, when it comes to our value on which how we see the meaning of life, I believe that Danes and Japanese are alike.
We are beginning to see reopening of society again. During my recent visits to Danish companies, I was impressed by an in-house Corona test center at one place, and on another visit, I did feel positively empathetic to a request by a Danish company to get a negative result of Corona test before a meeting in person. This is how we can try to return to normal contacts with each other.
Of course, it would be better if we could finish such preventive measures at the end of the day. For example, social distance among musical players must be such a huge challenge for them to perform while they need to listen to sounds of each other. After Easter in early April, we will see resumption of society. Barbers and some other service professions will start after three months.
Incidentally among my colleagues, some succeeded to transform this challenge into opportunity and enjoy smart long hair, and others improved skills to have their hair cut in their own ways. Reopening will proceed step by step from small shops to department stores through April. As of the end of March, more than 10% of Danish citizens have quickly completed the first round of vaccinations.
In Japan, the state of emergency declaration was lifted and reopening of society is carried out in a cautious manner. On the latest decision to give up foreign spectators to Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, I have heard the Danish colleagues, particularly those who had planned to visit Japan, saying “so sorry not to be able to go to Japan”, and after a moment of pause, adding “it can’t be helped and wish Tokyo success.” From some Danish sports associations, I have heard a bit more positive reactions, saying that “important thing is the Game will be held” and that “they trust Japan will hold the safe game for sure”.
Japan is going through cherry blossom season. Starting from southern region, cherry blossom blooms in northern part of Japan step by step. In the meantime, both Denmark and Japan will still have to tame COVID-19. I wish you well and look forward to seeing you next month again.
I hope that this letter will find you well as we can feel and touch arrival of spring day by day. Here in Denmark, the commencement of summer time suddenly makes daytime much longer.
In March, there were the graduation ceremonies at Japanese School in Aarhus and Copenhagen respectively. Those who graduated have made a new step forward to the next stage of one’s life so proudly. Of course, they were no exception who made sacrifice and remained so patient in the past year due to COVID-19, missing much awaited school events such as sports day and Christmas performances and so on. Like it or not, they are just going through common experience, thus in 10 years’ time, wherever they will be in the world, they can talk and ask each other what they were doing 10 years ago. I would like to congratulate them on their graduation, wishing that they will build better future of Japan, Denmark and the world.
This month also marked the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. H.E. Mr. Jeppe Kofod, Foreign Minister of Denmark tweeted as follows;
“Remembering those who lost their lives, those who continue to be affected by Tohoku earthquake and tsunami 10 years ago. Glad Denmark could help children of Higashi Matsushima and play a small role the recovery of the city.”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik visited the affected areas and encouraged people from children to adults only three months after the disaster. The rescue experts from the Denmark Emergency Management Agency flew to Japan immediately after the earthquake and coordinated EU assistance to Japan. So many Danish friends from business, the Government, the Red Cross and others provided help and heart-warming encouragement. It is indeed such constant spirit of solidarity and friendship that have been underpinning our excellent and amicable relations between Denmark and Japan. I would like to reiterate our sincere gratitude to our Danish friends.
(On 11 March 2021, at the Residence with the distinguished members of Denmark Emergency Management Agency who flew to Japan in March 2011. The oil painting titled “Fukushima 2011” was drawn by Mr. NAKAHARA Yoshiki.)
For Denmark, 11 March 2021 was an anniversary of the introduction of lockdown measures against COVID-19. I pay a special tribute to Danes for their community spirit, the willpower to try to complete what one has decided to do, the attitude not to forget appreciating humor and respecting culture despite prolonged challenges brought about lockdown among others. There must be some minute differences between Danes and Japanese, however, when it comes to our value on which how we see the meaning of life, I believe that Danes and Japanese are alike.
We are beginning to see reopening of society again. During my recent visits to Danish companies, I was impressed by an in-house Corona test center at one place, and on another visit, I did feel positively empathetic to a request by a Danish company to get a negative result of Corona test before a meeting in person. This is how we can try to return to normal contacts with each other.
Of course, it would be better if we could finish such preventive measures at the end of the day. For example, social distance among musical players must be such a huge challenge for them to perform while they need to listen to sounds of each other. After Easter in early April, we will see resumption of society. Barbers and some other service professions will start after three months.
Incidentally among my colleagues, some succeeded to transform this challenge into opportunity and enjoy smart long hair, and others improved skills to have their hair cut in their own ways. Reopening will proceed step by step from small shops to department stores through April. As of the end of March, more than 10% of Danish citizens have quickly completed the first round of vaccinations.
In Japan, the state of emergency declaration was lifted and reopening of society is carried out in a cautious manner. On the latest decision to give up foreign spectators to Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, I have heard the Danish colleagues, particularly those who had planned to visit Japan, saying “so sorry not to be able to go to Japan”, and after a moment of pause, adding “it can’t be helped and wish Tokyo success.” From some Danish sports associations, I have heard a bit more positive reactions, saying that “important thing is the Game will be held” and that “they trust Japan will hold the safe game for sure”.
Japan is going through cherry blossom season. Starting from southern region, cherry blossom blooms in northern part of Japan step by step. In the meantime, both Denmark and Japan will still have to tame COVID-19. I wish you well and look forward to seeing you next month again.
| Yours sincerely, |
| MIYAGAWA Manabu |
| The Embassy of Japan |