In memory of Mr. Johannes Knudsen and his virtues on the 65th anniversary

    On 10th February 1957, Mr. Johannes Knudsen dived into the extremely cold ocean off the coast of Wakayama prefecture, Japan, in his attempt to rescue a drowning Japanese fisherman in vain. His courageous act has been remembered and deeply inscribed into the minds of so many people, thus it has become a base of the friendly relations between Japan and Denmark.
    On 9th of February 2022, Ambassador Miyagawa Manabu met online with Ms. Birgit Hansen, Mayor of Frederikshavn prior to the 65th anniversary of Mr. Johannes Knudsen. The meeting followed their face-to-face meeting at Ambassador’s residence on 26 August 2021. Recalling Mr. Knudsen’s virtue, Ambassador paid tribute to his humane and heroic act and reiterated his sincere condolence to the bereaved family.
    Recognizing the importance of succeeding this history about Mr. Knudsen, culture of both countries and shared commitment to democracy to younger generations, Mayor Hansen and Ambassador Miyagawa exchanged their views on the possibilities of cooperation after COVID-19, such as continuing the youth exchanges including high school students (*the photo attached was taken on 9th February when the high school students in Frederikshavn laid flowers in front of the grave of Mr. Johannes Knudsen)between Frederikshavn and Wakayama, exchanges between Bangsbo Museum and the Embassy of Japan, pursuing potential for business opportunities between our countries, Ambassador’s return visit to Frederikshavn among others.
    In the room erected for the memories of Mr. Johannes Knudsen at Bangsbo Museum in Frederikshavn, his home town, there are exhibits of his photos, belongings and the story of his life as summarized below;
“Johannes was born in Frederikshavn on 22nd December 1917. His father earned his living as a fruit wholesaler. After attending a local school, he was apprenticed as a mechanic and went onto technical school to become an engineer at sea. Both in childhood and as a grown-up, Johannes was known as a cheerful lad, and whenever he appeared, people around him had fun and laughter. In January 1940, Johannes Knudsen was employed by the A.P. Møller company as an assistant engineer, and in 1952 he was promoted to engineer. Engineer Johannes Knudsen was signed on to the “Ellen Mærsk” on 22 January 1957, which led him to his last journey. On 10 February, “Ellen Mærsk” was on her way from Nagoya to Kobe. At about 9 p.m. the ship found a burning Japanese fishing vessel off the coast of Hinomisaki, and went to help the disabled vessel. “