Constitution Day in Denmark, and then cooperation over vaccination (Letter from Ambassador in June)

Dear friends,

   I hope that this letter will find you well as we head toward warm summer. Denmark starts the summer solstice with bonfire flaring to the heaven and celebrates the birthday of John the Baptist. This festival, “Sankt Hans Aften” is supposed to kick out witches as well. Then, we see the graduates from high schools on a big truck visiting everyone’s home in turn. They wear a special white cap with red or blue lines and thus celebrate an important end of a chapter in one’s life with their families and friends.

    5 June is Constitution Day in Denmark (In Japan it is on 3 May). On that day in 1849, His Majesty the King Frederick VII signed the Constitutional Act of Denmark, following the promise that his farther, His Majesty the King Christian VIII made to terminate absolute monarchy. “The framework for Danish democracy is laid down in the Constitutional Act of Denmark, with a set of fundamental principles and rules for society. For instance, the Constitutional Act establishes the rights and duties of individual citizens, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion and compulsory military service.”(HP of Danish parliament)
 
  The section 77 of the Act stipulates that “any person shall be at liberty to publish his ideas in print, in writing, and in speech, subject to his being held responsible in a court of law. Censorship and other preventive measures shall never again be introduced.” It seems that this clause has a similar effect to the article 21 of the Constitution of Japan, which says that “Freedom of assembly and association as well as speech, press and all other forms of expression are guaranteed. No censorship shall be maintained, nor shall the secrecy of any means of communication be violated.”

    Media in Denmark is a staunch guardian of “freedom of expression”. Denmark has been No.4 every year in the world, according to the World Press Freedom Ranking. Most recently, the editorials of some national newspapers criticized the suspension of Apple Daily in Hong Kong as it stamps on “freedom of expression”. Furthermore, the national paper “Jyllands -Posten” has maintained an adamant position that there is no room for compromise on “freedom of expression”, while the newspaper has been under threats of terrorism and intimidations since 2005 when the paper carried a satire to describe Muhammad. During my visit this month to the new building of “Jyllands -Posten” in Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, I learnt that many blue and purple colored artistic chairs in front of the main entrance of the house were meant to be not only art but also anti-terrorism. That knowledge did tell me a lot about “freedom of expression” in Denmark.
 

（The Constitutional Act of Denmark Photo: Folketing HP）
 

    Last, but not least, let me briefly share a news about Danish and Japanese cooperation vis-à-vis Corona vaccines. On 2 June, Japan cohosted the COVAX Vaccine Summit for our common goal “not to leave anyone”. International Cooperation Minister Mortensen of Denmark participated via video and explained Danish provision of vaccines to developing countries. Prime Minister SUGA of Japan expressed that Japan would make additional contribution of 800 million USD on top of 200 million and that Japan would provide 30 million doses of vaccines manufactured in Japan to other countries and regions. As a result of the Summit, thanks to additional contributions pledged by participants , we were able to secure well beyond the target of 8.3 billion USD to provide 1.8 billion vaccine doses to protect nearly 30 percent of the population in eligible developing economies. In Denmark as of the end of June, about 55% of citizens have been vaccinated for the first round and about 30% have completed the second round. This month, Japan has seen steadfast increase of vaccinations due to the progress of vaccinations at companies and universities among others. On some days, more than one million people were vaccinated per day.

    I wish you well and look forward to meeting you in July on this page, or somewhere in Denmark or online.

   (The sender of the letter at reopened Karen Blixen Museum).