Ambassador’s Corner

Dear friends in the Kingdom of Denmark,
 
My name is Mikio Mori, and I have assumed my post as Ambassador of Japan to Denmark. I extend my heartfelt greetings to you all.
 
Until October 2025, I served as Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York, dedicating myself to promoting exchanges between Japan and the United States. New York, where I had the honor to serve three times as a diplomat, is truly "the city that never sleeps." Now, I look forward with great anticipation to this major transition—from the dizzying heights of skyscrapers and the ceaseless car horns to Denmark, a country that values work-life balance, where bicycles speed past and windmills turn gently in the northern  breeze. Nevertheless, my fundamental mission as a diplomat—to seek and play the role Japan should play in the world—remains unchanged, wherever I may be posted.
 
I am delighted to renew my connection with the Kingdom of Denmark, a country I was responsible for within the European Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early 1990s. It is a great pleasure to now experience firsthand this country, often called "the happiest nation in the world," which continues to fascinate many Japanese. From the tales woven by H.C. Andersen, to beautiful and functional design, to the picturesque green plains and endless coastlines that change with the seasons, and to the diverse charms of Greenland and the Faroe Islands with their magnificent nature and rich traditions—I eagerly anticipate exploring the Kingdom of Denmark thoroughly and deepening my bonds with its people during my tenure.
 
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1867, Japan and Denmark have built a long-standing and fruitful partnership for nearly 160 years, strengthened by close ties between our Imperial Family and the Danish Royal Family. This bond has deepened further through the "Strategic Partnership" agreement concluded between the leaders in 2023. Both nations, having benefited from free trade and freedom of navigation, share universal values and principles such as democracy and the rule of law, and possess common interests in many areas. Denmark leads globally in renewable energy, digitalization, and life sciences, and I am delighted to see increasing collaboration between Japanese and Danish companies as well as academic and research exchanges. I am confident that expanding cooperation by mutually learning from each other's systems and technologies will not only benefit our two countries but also contribute significantly to global sustainable development.
 
In Denmark, Japanese traditional culture such as ikebana, tea ceremony, and martial arts, along with manga, anime, sushi, sake, and even Japan’s soul foods like ramen and onigiri, are loved by many. I am honored by the deep appreciation Denmark’s people show for Japanese aesthetics and the cultural experiences they seek by visiting Japan. To nurture this warm friendship further, I will actively work to create more opportunities for the Danish people to deepen their understanding of Japan and to enhance people-to-people exchanges and mutual visits.
 
Currently, over 2,100 Japanese nationals reside in Denmark, and many Japanese companies are actively operating here. The Embassy's utmost priority is to ensure a safe and secure environment for our Japanese residents, and to provide robust support in all aspects so that Japanese companies operating in Denmark, bearing the national interest, can maximize their potential. We will strengthen our collaboration with the Danish government and relevant organizations, and dedicate our full efforts to this end.
 
With your kind support, I wholeheartedly look forward to further developing the excellent relationship between Japan and the Kingdom of Denmark.
 
Mikio Mori
Ambassador-designate of Japan to Denmark