2024 New Year Message from H.E. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi
2024/1/1
I would like to extend my best wishes for a prosperous and healthy new year to everyone.
Today, on January 1, 2024, an earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. I would like to express my deepest condolences to all the victims of this earthquake. Also, I give sincere thanks to our friends in Canada for their kindness and support to us upon this tragedy.
Last year, 2023, was an important year for Japan and Canada. Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Canada in January was a perfect start for Japan’s G7 Presidency. Foreign Minister Joly’s April visit to Japan for the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting was followed by the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May, where Japan spearheaded efforts to address the crises facing the international community, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and pressing issues such as a free and open international order based on the rule of law; nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; and strengthening relations with the Global South. At that time, another Canada-Japan Summit was held, and our leaders had meaningful discussions.
2023 also marked the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan. In September, the Embassy of Japan, together with the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, hosted a reception to celebrate the progress of Canada-Japan relations and to show our commitment to further better the world and the Canada-Japan relationship. That reception was also the first Self-Defense Forces Day reception held in Ottawa. The close harmonies performed by the Self-Defense Forces and Canadian Forces musicians were symbolic of Canada-Japan security cooperation.
Canada-Japan relations have made significant developments in the economic field as well. In September, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Minister Nishimura visited Ottawa. During that visit, he met with relevant ministers and signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation on the storage battery supply chain and industrial technologies such as quantum and AI. Minister Nishimura also attended a public-private roundtable on the battery supply chain. In October, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Minister Ng, led a "Team Canada" delegation of 250 members from 160 Canadian companies to Osaka and Tokyo on the occasion of the G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister MacAulay, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Business Council of Canada also visited Japan at the same time. Historically, this is the largest ever business Canadian delegation to Japan.
It is important that these meetings and exchanges lead to concrete results between Canada and Japan in 2024. I am confident that Canada-Japan relations will grow even closer this year. We have already seen a major boost in the flow of people between the two countries, with more than 350,000 Canadians visiting Japan from January to October 2023, surpassing the numbers before COVID. There is also pleasing polling that Japan is now tied with the UK as Canadians’ most positively regarded country. In fact, Japan jumped 4 percent between January and July alone. As a promoter of Japan in Canada, I am very grateful for this, but I will not rest on my laurels. I will continue my efforts to show Canadians the best qualities of Japan.
The year 2024 marks the 95th anniversary of the opening of Canada's embassy in Tokyo, the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Canada Trade Office in Yokohama, the 70th anniversary of the Canada-Japan Agreement on Commerce, and the 150th anniversary of the birth of L.M. Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. Looking at these historical milestones, I am amazed at the depth of the relationship between our two countries.
As Canada-Japan relations enter a new chapter, and as we look forward to further development based on the history of our two countries, the Embassy of Japan is committed to working hard to deepen bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields and at every level.
Today, on January 1, 2024, an earthquake hit the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. I would like to express my deepest condolences to all the victims of this earthquake. Also, I give sincere thanks to our friends in Canada for their kindness and support to us upon this tragedy.
Last year, 2023, was an important year for Japan and Canada. Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Canada in January was a perfect start for Japan’s G7 Presidency. Foreign Minister Joly’s April visit to Japan for the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting was followed by the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May, where Japan spearheaded efforts to address the crises facing the international community, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and pressing issues such as a free and open international order based on the rule of law; nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; and strengthening relations with the Global South. At that time, another Canada-Japan Summit was held, and our leaders had meaningful discussions.
2023 also marked the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Japan. In September, the Embassy of Japan, together with the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, hosted a reception to celebrate the progress of Canada-Japan relations and to show our commitment to further better the world and the Canada-Japan relationship. That reception was also the first Self-Defense Forces Day reception held in Ottawa. The close harmonies performed by the Self-Defense Forces and Canadian Forces musicians were symbolic of Canada-Japan security cooperation.
Canada-Japan relations have made significant developments in the economic field as well. In September, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Minister Nishimura visited Ottawa. During that visit, he met with relevant ministers and signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation on the storage battery supply chain and industrial technologies such as quantum and AI. Minister Nishimura also attended a public-private roundtable on the battery supply chain. In October, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Minister Ng, led a "Team Canada" delegation of 250 members from 160 Canadian companies to Osaka and Tokyo on the occasion of the G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister MacAulay, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Business Council of Canada also visited Japan at the same time. Historically, this is the largest ever business Canadian delegation to Japan.
It is important that these meetings and exchanges lead to concrete results between Canada and Japan in 2024. I am confident that Canada-Japan relations will grow even closer this year. We have already seen a major boost in the flow of people between the two countries, with more than 350,000 Canadians visiting Japan from January to October 2023, surpassing the numbers before COVID. There is also pleasing polling that Japan is now tied with the UK as Canadians’ most positively regarded country. In fact, Japan jumped 4 percent between January and July alone. As a promoter of Japan in Canada, I am very grateful for this, but I will not rest on my laurels. I will continue my efforts to show Canadians the best qualities of Japan.
The year 2024 marks the 95th anniversary of the opening of Canada's embassy in Tokyo, the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Canada Trade Office in Yokohama, the 70th anniversary of the Canada-Japan Agreement on Commerce, and the 150th anniversary of the birth of L.M. Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. Looking at these historical milestones, I am amazed at the depth of the relationship between our two countries.
As Canada-Japan relations enter a new chapter, and as we look forward to further development based on the history of our two countries, the Embassy of Japan is committed to working hard to deepen bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields and at every level.
New Year's Day, 2024