In memory of Mr. Johannes Knudsen and his virtues on the 64th 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.
   In the room erected for the memories of Mr. Johannes Knudsen at Bangsbo Museum in Frederikshavn, his home town, there are exhibits ofhis 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. “

   On 4th of February, Ambassador Miyagawa Manabu met online with Ms. Birgit Hansen, Mayor of Frederikshavn prior to the 64th anniversary of Mr. Johannes Knudsen to pay tribute to Mr. Knudsen and his virtue. They also exchanged the views on resumption of high school students exchanges between Frederikshavn and Wakayama after COVID-19 and future perspectives for business opportunities and sports exchanges between Japan and Frederikshavn of Denmark.