Japan and Denmark – exchanges between municipalities revisited

   I hope that this letter would find you well. Day by day, we see ourselves deeper and deeper into autumn. This month I would like to share my account on the recent visits to Kolding, the sister city of Anjo, Aichi prefecture, and Næstved, the friendship city of Narita, Chiba prefecture. Please also allow me to report the latest state of work on Strategic Partnership between Denmark and Japan.

1. Sister city exchanges between Kolding and Anjo

   On 8 October, I visited Kolding located in the middle of Denmark. The city has a history of 750 years. Due to COVID-19, the deliberation of a draft budget by the City Council was conducted over video conference just two days before my visit. I was so grateful for the fact that I happened to take part in the long history of friendship exchanges between Kolding, her sister city Anjo, Denmark and Japan. Without such assets, it might not have been possible to greet Mayor Jørn PEDERSEN in person on that day. 　
   When I signed the book of visitors on my arrival, the Mayor explained that Kolding used to be spelled like “Colding”, meaning cold water. In 1997, Kolding concluded the friendship city association with Anjo, and in 2009 they signed sister city association. Through those years, the two cities have continued to deepen the exchanges.

   Kolding has participated in the creative city network of UNESCO, positively making use of design for formulating policies toward a sustainable city. “Learn, Stay and Live” is a motto of the city. For example, a student of Southern Denmark University in Kolding proposed to use industrial waste water for heating of schools, houses and the bus stops in the city and this splendid idea was adopted to make the city more environmentally friendly. The canal and port areas in the city are being re-developed, and we can hardly wait to see Kolding even more cultural and comfortable place.

   I am sure that both Kolding and Anjo will further develop mutual exchanges and am looking forward to witnessing it.
   On my way back from Kolding, I stopped by Koldinghus Museum, which collaborated for the special exhibition “Glory of Nordic Denmark” in Anjo in 2005. Koldinghus Museum also hosted “Japan expo” in the same year. Then, I managed to briefly visit Trapholt museum for modern art and design. At both places, I felt deep connections between Japan and Denmark.

   I have written to Mayor KAMIYA about my visit to Kolding to express my gratitude and to report what I saw there. We eagerly look forward to a day when both Mayor KAMIYA and Mayor PEDERSEN will meet again in person.
 

2. Friendship city exchanges between Næstved and Narita

   On 20 October, I paid a call to Mayor Carsten RASMUSSEN in Næstved, located in southern part of Denmark. I listened to the opinions of the Mayor and his colleagues about possible future collaboration with Narita with whom Næstved has maintained friendship city association since 2003.
 
    The Mayor took me from the City Hall to Holmegaard Museum, a most famous Danish glassware brand and an atelier of print artists, who have collaborated with Japanese artists. At the museum, some groups of senior citizens of the city were arriving by large buses, and I will fondly remember the Mayor’s words as follows;

    “Because it is a hard time, I would like many senior citizens enjoy seeing cultural events.”

   I am reporting my visit to Næstved to Narita city. The Embassy of Japan will continue to do its modest utmost to serve to facilitate further exchanges between Narita and Næstved, and we wish an early resumption of mutual visits when COVID-19 challenges will be overcome.

3. Exchanges between Gammel Hellerup Gymnasium and Taito-ward

   The Old Hellerup High School is located in Hellerup, a suburb of Copenhagen where many Embassies and residences of Ambassadors, including my house are situated. On 19 October, I was warmly received by Mr. Bjarne EDELSKOV, Rector of the Gymnasium, his colleagues and the students. We had an initial discussion on how we can further build on what the mutual visits of students of the Old Hellerup Gymnasium and those from TAITO-ward in Tokyo achieved in the past years. Incidentally, TAITO-ward is a sister city of Gladsaxe city, next to Hellerup.

 
   The Gymnasium was full of youthfulness from students. It was the first day after 4 days-autumn holidays. I was spontaneously invited to a class on the world history, honored to introduce myself and to talk a little bit about Japan. I do look forward to continuing further communication with them in near future.

4. Updating “Strategic Partnership” between Denmark and Japan
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/files/000029491.pdf

   In October, I have been so thankful for the Danish people whom shared their precious time and views with me such as Ms. Lea VERMELIN, Minister for Environment, Mr. Benny ENGELBRECHT, Minister for Transportation, several decision makers from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Lisbeth ZILMER-JOHNS, Acting Head of Agency for Security of Supply, Mr. Niels NYGAARD, CEO, Denmark Olympic Committee, Mr. Bo JENSEN, CEO, Badminton Denmark, Ms. Anne STEFFENSEN, DG, Danish Shipping, Mayor Gert JØRGENSEN from Sorø and so on. 

   Through my dialogue with these distinguished partners of Japan, I have listened to the views that encourage our two countries take another step, building on the Leaders’ document “Strategic Partnership” between Denmark and Japan in 2014 since there are plenty of opportunities for both countries to collaborate in digitalization, to promote green and sustainable cooperation and measures to tackle climate change in marine and other transportation areas including bicycles and so on. I would like to thank my Danish friends for such heart-warming expectations toward the safest Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our special thanks go to Danish Open Badminton for their splendid demonstration on how to organize the safest sports game by employing all the possible measures against COVID-19. We are so fortunate that Denmark remains highly interested in Japan, and that there are so many chances for our two countries to learn good points from each other.

 
5. Let us stay safe and forward-looking

   There have been an increase in the number of infected persons in the latter half of October after a rather quiet summer. Thus, the maximum persons allowed to participate in a gathering was lowered from 50 to 10 persons. Wearing facial masks expanded to cover supermarkets and other public spaces. Compared with the lockdown in March this year, society remains open. For example, we have been always able to do some outdoor activities, and I was prompted to buy a bike made in Denmark partly because of the bike tour in September organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was unfortunately postponed. But I and my wife now enjoy cycling.
   There have been some restrictive measures introduced in September and October. It would be no wonder if one would feel depressed or be inclined to complain a bit. Despite such uncertainty, I find Danish people forward-looking, make the best use of everyday of his or hers.
I assume that probably I may not be the only one who see Danes in that way.    I wish you well and let us stay safe and forward-looking.