New Year's Greetings from Ambassador Kaoru Ishikawa
Ambassador of Japan to Canada
It is a pleasure for me to bring you greetings on behalf of the Embassy of Japan to celebrate the new year.
2011 was a year with much to reflect on. The sheer magnitude of the powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck off the coast of Japan on March 11th, 2011, reminded me of the need for balance. A balance between life and death, between Mother Nature and mankind, between humility and ambition, and a balance between tradition and innovation. To achieve this balance, we need not only the brilliance of the human mind and the wonders of science and technology, but also a resilient spirit and the adherence of core values that help build strong and sustainable communities- values such as giving and compassion.
I would like to reiterate my sincere gratitude to the citizens and the Government of Canada who have shown their compassion through their offers of assistance to my compatriots affected by the disaster in a time of great difficulty. I thought it is really true to say “Friends in need, friends indeed.”
Today, ten months have passed since the disaster. Reconstruction efforts are underway and on December 16th, 2011, it was determined that Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station had been brought into a “cold shut down condition”. While there is still a large hill to climb- especially in the areas of building resilient communities- the region and its residents are trying to return to a “new sense of normal.”
I am confident that the year 2012 will become a year of hope and a move forward for those in the disaster affected area.
Japan and Canada have built strong ties between the two countries both in the minds of the people as shown in the heartwarming support by the Canadians to Japan, and in the reality of the politics and economy.
We always need to remind ourselves of the fact that parliamentary democracy, freedom of thought and freedom of expression are the very basic values that our two countries not only share, but also must promote in the world. In this context, I am happy to note that it has been agreed by both Prime Minister Noda and Prime Minister Harper to further enhance our political dialogue and also to facilitate Japan-Canada security cooperation including through discussions regarding a Japan-Canada Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).
Economic ties – which have served as a cornerstone of our relationship – will be further strengthened by the joint study of an economic partnership agreement between two countries as agreed by our leaders, Prime Minister Noda and Prime Minister Harper in their meetings. Japan and Canada also share the view that possible participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will further deepen ties with Pacific neighboring countries.
Industrial cooperation has also been active; one notable example of this is the provision of carbon fiber made fuselage by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry of Japan (factory is in Ontario) to Bombardier Aerospace Group of Canada for aircraft manufacturing, working together to innovate the industry.
2011 marked the 25th anniversary of science and technology cooperation between our two countries. We have launched Japan-Canada cooperation on nanotechnology, stem cell research and sustainable energy technology. A Japanese-built unmanned cargo spacecraft launched by Japanese rocket was successfully docked with the International Space Station with the assistance of the Canadian-built CANADARM 2 in space, a wonderful team play to revitalize the International Space Station. We have full confidence that our two countries are leading in cutting-edge technology making a revolutionary change of the world for the better.
On the cultural and education front, more than eight thousand Canadians have participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching program, teaching English in schools across Japan and promoting grassroots cultural exchange.
Last year, an exhibit entitled “Japan: Tradition. Innovation.” was displayed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. I am glad to hear that many Canadians visited the exhibit and learned about the traditional Japanese design, skills and surprising technologies in Edo period (1603-1868), which mirror cutting-edge technologies of today’s contemporary Japan.
This year, it is my pleasure to announce that “Samurai”, an exhibition showcasing the world of Japanese Samurai is coming to both Quebec City and Montreal. Through this exhibition, I hope Canadians will deepen their understanding of the spirit of samurai, the root of resilience and discipline witnessed among Japanese people in the Tohoku region after the March 11th Earthquake and Tsunami.
I am confident that through these activities, by the end of 2012, we will be saying that; yes, we have moved forward; yes, our hope is there; yes, Canada and Japan are true friends indeed.
My hope is that 2012 brings you all health and prosperity and I wish you a wonderful New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Kaoru Ishikawa
Ambassador of Japan
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