Friday, October 12, 2018 | The Japan Times | 5 Spain National Day Special 150 years of friendship and looking toward a bright future

Gonzalo de Benito ambassador of spain

On the occasion of our National Day, I have the honor to convey to the Imperial family, the government and the people of Japan the message of goodwill and friendship from the Royal family, the government and the people of Spain. I also wish to convey my congratulations to all the Spanish citizens living and work- ing in Japan, and wish them all the best in MAEUEC their personal and professional endeavors. We celebrate today a stellar moment in Both missions prove the courage and the history of our country — Oct. 12, 1492 boldness of Spanish and Japanese sailors in — when Christopher Columbus sailed what can be defined as the first globaliza- westward across the Atlantic and arrived in tion attempts in history. the Americas on a mission sponsored and Our bilateral relations have enormously supported by the Spanish crown. developed since then and we celebrate this A little more than a century later, in 1613, year the 150th anniversary of diplomatic the Keicho Mission was sent by the Daimyo relations between our two countries. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko travel by shinkansen from Tokyo to the city Casa Batllo is a building in the center of Barcelona. It was designed by of Sendai, Date Masamune, to the King To mark this occasion, we have pre- of Shizuoka during the Spanish royal couple’s official visit to Japan in April 2017. Casa Real Antoni Gaudi and stands as one of his most iconic works. TURESPANA of Spain, Felipe III, making Japan the first sented a program of more than 50 cultural Asian country to cross the Pacific eastward and institutional events in Tokyo and 15 formances and concerts from flamenco to tional law, democracy and free trade in the 600,996 visiting the country in 2017. The Sapporo and Takamatsu, in promoting in what was the first Japanese diplomatic other cities in Japan. The Prado Museum jazz, as well as seminars and exhibitions United Nations and other international number of Spanish tourists to Japan is also Japan-Spain relations and assisting the mission to the Western world. exhibition in Tokyo and Kobe, artistic per- are bringing Spanish culture closer to the organizations. growing, with 99,814 visitors in 2017. Spanish communities in their respective Japanese public. On a bilateral level, we are also further In the upcoming weeks and months, we jurisdictions. At the same time, we are making con- strengthening our relations. will continue promoting these exchanges Japan is always a favored and respected tinuous progress in the deepening of our Additionally, our trade is steadily grow- through the Japan-Spain symposium partner for Spain. We will continue explor- political, economic and people-to-people ing. In 2017, it reached a record total (which will take place in Ube, Yamaguchi ing ways and opportunities for strengthen- relations. amount of ¥928.1 billion, an increase of 18.1 Prefecture, from Nov. 21–23), the Bilateral ing our friendship, as well as expanding In the past year, together with our Japa- percent compared to 2016. Business Committee and the recently cre- our bilateral cooperation in new areas to nese partners, we have implemented the We are pleased to see new investments ated Spanish Chamber of Commerce in further consolidate our relationship. agreements signed between both countries by Japanese companies in Spain, all of Japan. I wish to express my gratitude to The during the occasion of the state visit by which have showed renewed confidence We will also continue promoting the Japan Times for publishing this message King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain in our economy after we have completed a study of the Spanish language — the lan- and renew our commitment to serving the in April 2017, in the fields of cooperation long road of fiscal consolidation and struc- guage of more than 570 million speakers Spanish community in Japan and the inter- in tourism, sports, economy and industry, tural reforms — results of the solid growth all over the world — through the Instituto ests of our bilateral relations for the benefit medical research and the exchange of stu- of Spain’s economy in the last three years. Cervantes programs in Tokyo. of our nations and our people. dents and young diplomats. In the tourism sector, the number of visi- Finally, I would like to acknowledge the As two like-minded countries, Japan tors has also been significantly increasing. excellent cooperation that we consistently This content was compiled in collaboration and Spain promote peace and security, We are most pleased to see the growing receive from our honorary consulates with the embassy. The views expressed here do Spain is the world’s fifth-largest producer of wind power. Marca EspaNa respect for human rights and interna- interest of Japanese tourists in Spain, with in the cities of Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. Education deepens solidarity

Noboru kinoshita its 800th anniversary this year, has been the and goodwill that contributes to society. Executive Director of the Spanish global leader in the world of academia serv- Programs organized by the society include Society of Japan ing as a hub for international exchanges. certification tests (Evaluation of Practical The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center of Spanish Proficiency, Evaluation of Busi- I would like to the University of Salamanca, established in ness Spanish Proficiency, and Evaluation of extend my heartfelt 1999, following the visit of Their Majesties Spanish Culture Proficiency), Prince Taka- congratulations on Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to mado Cup Spanish Speech Contest, the Yu behalf of the Span- the university, has played a significant role Aida Translation Award and many other ish Society of Japan in further enhancing bonds between Spain lectures, seminars, training and cultural (Sociedad Hispanica and Japan. Its outstanding achievements events that are acting as a bridge between del Japon) for cele- have led to receiving the 2018 Japan Foun- Japan and the Spanish-speaking world. brating the National dation Award. Today, over 30 universities in Lately, there is a rising trend of Japanese Day of the Kingdom our country have interuniversity exchange showing interest in Spanish language, of Spain. agreements with the University of Sala- art and sports. This year marks the 150th The amicable relationship between Spain manca, which is giving a wider opportunity anniversary of the establishment of diplo- and Japan dates back to 1549 when Francis for Japanese students to learn the Spanish matic relations between Japan and Spain. Xavier first reached Japan, and ever since language and culture in Salamanca. I believe that there will be a growing sense then, we have been strengthening our ties The Spanish Society of Japan traces its of awareness both in the public and pri- through remarkable and pleasant events and roots to the Spanish Friendship Associa- vate sectors for further development of the news that we share together every year. We tion formed in 1957 by volunteer Japanese bilateral relationship. The Spanish Society are proud to announce that the University of members who were studying or residing of Japan purchased a building four years Salamanca, one of the oldest and most presti- in Spain at the time. The group has been ago in Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo. From this gious universities in Europe founded in 1218, carrying out various projects with a goal to office, we will continue to offer a wide is to carve its name in the history of the cul- work in closer relationship with Spanish- range of international understanding and tural relationship between the two nations. speaking countries in diverse fields and to cultural exchange programs on top of our The University of Salamanca, celebrating further extend its relationship of friendship 61-year history of achievements.

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