Spain National Day an Association for Peace, Growth and Innovation

Thursday, October 12, 2017 | The Japan Times | 5

(Anniversary special) Spain National Day An association for peace, growth and innovation

Gonzalo de Benito mission to the Western world. Ambassador of Spain Both missions prove the courage and boldness of Spanish and Japanese sailors On the occasion of in what can be called the first globalization our National Day, attempts in history. I have the honor to Our bilateral relations have developed convey to the Impe- enormously since then, and we will celebrate rial family, to the next year the 150th anniversary of diplomatic government and relations between our two countries. people of Japan a We are improving our friendly and message of goodwill cooperative relations every day. This year and friendship from marked an important milestone with the the Royal Family, state visit of Their Majesties King Felipe the government and the people of Spain. VI and Queen Letizia of Spain to Japan in I also wish to convey my congratulations April, on the invitation of Their Majesties to all Spanish citizens living and working in Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Japan, and wish them all the best in their per- This was an important opportunity to sonal and professional endeavors. reaffirm the mutual appreciation and respect We celebrate today a stellar moment in between our Imperial and Royal families, our the history of our country. On Oct. 12, 1492, governments and our people. Christopher Columbus, sailing westward On this occasion, new agreements were through the Atlantic Ocean, discovered the signed between Japan and Spain in the Americas, in a mission sponsored and sup- fields of cooperation in tourism, sports, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko welcome King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Imperial Palace during a state An exhibition gallery at the renowned Prado Museum in central Madrid ported by the Spanish Crown. economy and industry, medical research, visit on April 5. Casa Real Turespana A little more than a century later, in 1613, as well the promotion of exchanges of stu- the Daimyo of Sendai, Date Masamune, sent dents and young diplomats. Rajoy signed in Tokyo in October 2013. trend under our “Association for Peace, AVE, a high-speed the Keicho Mission to the King of Spain, Today, the framework of our relations Through it, Japan and Spain cooperate in Growth and Innovation.” train operated by Philippe III. It made Japan the first Asian is the “Japan-Spain Association for Peace, the U.N. and other international organiza- In the upcoming weeks and months, we state-owned country to cross the Pacific Ocean eastward, Growth and Innovation” that Prime Minis- tions to promote peace and global security, will continue promoting these exchanges Renfe Turespana in what was the first Japanese diplomatic ter Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Mariano respect for human rights and international through the Japan-Spain Symposium, law, democracy and free trade. which will meet in Malaga from Oct. 18 to On a bilateral level, we are making con- 20, the Bilateral Business Committee and tinuous progress in the deepening of our the recently created Spanish Chamber of relations. Commerce in Japan. Our bilateral trade is steadily growing. In Additionally, in 2018 we will celebrate 2016, it reached a record total of ¥785.8 bil- the 150th anniversary of diplomatic rela- lion, a rise of 6.2 percent compared to 2015. tions between Japan and Spain. We are pleased to see new investment This will be the occasion to present a language of more than 570 million people all partner for Spain. We will continue explor- by Japanese companies in Spain. They relevant cultural program, which will over the world — through the programs of ing ways and opportunities for strength- show renewed confidence in our economy, start with a magnificent exhibition on the Instituto Cervantes in Tokyo. ening our friendship, and expanding our after we have completed a long road of fis- “Velazquez and the Golden Age at the I would finally like to recognize the excel- bilateral cooperation in new areas to fur- cal consolidation and structural reforms, Prado Museum,” that will be exhibited lent cooperation that we continuously ther consolidate our relationship. which have put Spain’s economy again on from February in Tokyo and later in Kobe. receive from our Honorary Consulates in I wish to deeply thank The Japan Times a solid path of growth. During the rest of the year, the program Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Takamatsu and for publishing this message and I renew In the tourism sector, the number of visi- will be completed with several exhibitions, Fukuoka, in promoting Japan-Spain rela- our commitment to serve the Spanish com- tors is increasing significantly as well. concerts and other artistic performances. tions and supporting the Spanish communi- munity in Japan and the interests of our We are most pleased to see the interest of We will also continue promoting the ties in their respective jurisdictions. bilateral relations for the benefit of our Japanese tourists in Spain, as tourist numbers knowledge of the Spanish language — the Japan is an important and respected nations and our people. reached 582,213 in 2016. The number of Spanish tourists to Japan is growing as well, with 91,849 visitors in 2016. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Sagrada Familia, designed by Spanish archi- These figures show the growing impor- Galicia Turespana tect Antoni Gaudi, in Barcelona Turespana tance of our relations and the very positive Further development of friendly relations

Masami Takemoto In April this year, King Felipe VI and Queen ish language and culture proficiency exams President, Japan-Spain Foundation Letizia paid their first state visit since his every year. The foundation also holds a coronation. Such close contacts have Spanish speech contest in the presence of On behalf of the formed the basis of the bilateral friendship Princess Takamado, who is the founda- Japan-Spain Founda- and goodwill. The remarks by the king tion’s honorary president. The contest tion, I’d like to offer during the banquet at the Imperial Pal- serves as an incentive for young people my congratulations ace made us Japanese very happy. I’d like who are studying the language. Further- on the National Day to repeat some of them here, as the king more, we have conducted consultations of Spain. said: “I would like to take this particularly on studying abroad, the Spanish music As is well known, special opportunity to express our own competition, presented the Yu Aida trans- Japan and Spain personal affection and admiration for Your lation award and held a number of lectures boast a long history Majesties. You are an unwavering example and events in various fields such as politics, of friendship span- of service to your people and a personifica- economy, literature, painting and music ning 468 years, dating back to the arrival of tion of the esteem in which your country is among others. Francis Xavier in Japan in 1549. In addition, held around the world.” I’m convinced that Japan-Spain rela- the two countries will mark the 150th anni- The Japan-Spain Foundation is celebrat- tions will further develop through taking versary of diplomatic ties next year since the ing the 60th anniversary since its establish- advantage of next year’s 150th anniversary establishment of such relations in 1868. ment, during which time we have worked of diplomatic ties. Taking the opportunity We’re pleased that an amicable relation- on developing closer ties with Spain and to mark our foundation’s 60th anniversary ship has developed in a wide range of areas Spanish-speaking countries in a variety as a fresh start, we’re determined to make over the years, including close exchanges of areas, promoting a host of programs to progress in a wide range of activities for between the Imperial and Royal families. boost friendly relations. We organize Span- further development of the bilateral ties.

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