Letter from Ambassador in February - “Our bonds - Waiting for a day when window opens toward spring ”
Dear Friends,
I hope that this letter will find you well as we hear footsteps of spring approaching day by day through the cold air of winter. In Denmark, from the beginning of February, almost all the COVID-19 related restrictions have been lifted. Copenhagen is reinvigorated and waiting for imminent spring. Fortunately, there have been an increasing number of the meetings and events in person, which make us appreciate the bonds between Japan and Denmark.
It was His Majesty the Emperor’s 62nd birthday on 23 February. Many Danish people and Japanese nationals living in the Kingdom of Denmark expressed their congratulations. I have experienced frequently the warmth and depth of friendship between our two countries that have lasted for so many years thanks to the exchanges between the Imperial and Royal families. The lasting friendship is a mirror image of a stone thrown into the pond leaves many rings on the surface of the water. For example, when I visited Maritime Museum this month on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Royal yacht “Dannebrog”, the director and the CEO of the Museum who guided then-His Imperial Highness Crown Prince of Japan in 2017 talked about their memories of more than 4 years ago fondly with big smile as if they had met His Imperial Highness just yesterday.
Ocean connects us, Japan and Denmark as well. The 10th February was the 65th anniversary of the late Mr. Johannes Knudsen from Frederikshavn, then-Chief Engineer of the Maersk’s vessel. Ms. Birgit Hansen, Mayor of Frederikshavn and I met online and together paid tribute to Mr. Knudsen’s act and virtues and prayed that his soul will rest in peace. Mayor Hansen kindly shared with me the high school students in Frederikshavn visited Mr. Knudsen’s grave and laid flower on that day. The young Danes have succeeded the will of Mr. Knudsen, passing on our friendly ties toward future.
While I am writing this letter, looking back what happened this month, I am also deeply concerned about what is going on in Ukraine. Both Denmark and Japan have expressed the strongest regrets to the Russian aggression and are continuing all the possible efforts including diplomatic ones in the hope to stop further deterioration of the situation. Yesterday, on 25 February, I met the Ukrainian Ambassador together with the Ambassadors from G7 countries at the German Embassy in Copenhagen and reaffirmed our solidarity. I heard that on the same day, the Copenhagen Phil with Mr. Toshiyuki Kamioka, the chief conductor played the national anthem of Ukraine at the beginning of the concert and everyone prayed for peace. Danes and Japanese are united and act in the same spirit together when crisis occurs. I cannot help recognizing our bonds so strongly between Denmark and Japan.
“As our contacts with the world remain difficult, I earnestly hope for a day when the window opens to the world.”
This is His Majesty the Emperor’s verse composed on the occasion of the annual inaugural Japanese short poem reading session at the Imperial Palace. I heard that His Majesty composed this piece, praying for the resumption of mutual visits between Japan and the rest of the world such as Denmark and others beyond the end of COVID-19 problems. From 1 March, the Japanese border measures will be eased further. Those who visit Japan with the purpose of business and students’ study will be required to stay at home or a hotel for 3 days, instead of the previous 7 days, provided the test on the third day from arrival is negative . Public transportation can be used from airport to home or a hotel.
I have met and listened to the views of Japanese nationals living in Denmark, Danish business persons, students who plan to go to Japan and who have studied in Japan and their parents among others. They told me that they would like to visit Japan as soon as possible, or sadly in some cases they had wanted to do so but have given up. I sincerely hope that their wish will be realized as we hear the footsteps of arriving spring, thus the bonds between our two countries will be even deeper. With my colleagues of the Embassy of Japan, I will continue to make my modest best to assist it, listening carefully to your opinions. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Yours sincerely,
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