4 The Japan Times Friday, November 15, 2013 Belgium king’s day A year of milestones for Belgium-Japan relations

Luc Liebaut human rights, and as we jointly NATO Secretary-General Anders in French, has been respected ambassador of Belgium defend and promote these com- Fogh Rasmussen in Tokyo. This since 1831. From September on- mon values in our foreign poli- document opens the road to a ward, King Philippe and Queen Looking back upon 2013, I see cies. It will allow Japan and the new cooperative relationship, Mathilde have embarked on this three milestones that marked the EU to better join their efforts which Belgium, as one of the 12 series of visits, each one of them past year, and will shape the fu- to contribute to peace, stabil- ‘‘founding fathers’’ that signed made up of meetings with the ture of the relations between Bel- ity and prosperity around the the North Atlantic Alliance Trea- provincial authorities and with gium and Japan. world, and to work more closely ty, full-heartedly welcomes. the mayors of all the municipali- The first together in addressing crises and Finally, the third key event of ties of the province, and of popu- milestone was key global challenges through 2013 was the abdication of King lar festivities in honor of the new the launch, in practical cooperation in issues Albert ii, King of the belgians king and queen. April this year, such as disaster relief, humani- (the official title of the belgian Like his father, King Philippe of negotiations tarian assistance, development, kings) since 1993, in favor of his knows Japan and its imperial for both a free- climate change, the peaceful use son, Philippe. On July 3, 2013, in family well. our new king has trade agree- of nuclear energy, nonprolifera- an emotional, publicly broad- visited Japan numerous times, ment (FTA) and tion, cybersecurity and counter- cast intervention, King Albert II officially and privately. His last a strategic partnership agree- piracy. announced that ill health was official visit dates back to June ment (SPA) between the euro- As for the FTA, we hope that preventing him from continuing 2012. at that time he visited Generation transition: (Above) Former King Albert II of Belgium pean Union and Japan. Belgium the negotiations will lead to the to discharge his duties to his full Tokyo, osaka and Kyoto at the (second right) and his wife Queen Paola; and new King Philippe strongly supported these devel- conclusion of an ambitious and satisfaction and that therefore helm of the most important of Belgium and his wife Queen Mathilde. King Albert abdicated opments. comprehensive agreement that the time had come to renounce Belgian economic mission (280 in favor of his son Philippe on July 21. (Right) The official A successful conclusion of the will almost fully liberalize trade, the throne. on July 21, Crown businessmen and academicians) portrait of the new king and queen. chancery of the prime SPA will pave the way for closer eliminate nontariff barriers and Prince Philippe was sworn in ever to visit Japan. It is the firm minister-photographer Michel Gronemberger, Marie-jo political and global economic lead to a high degree of harmo- as the new King of the Belgians. wish of King Philippe and Queen lafontaine/marina cox cooperation both bilaterally, re- nization of standards, and other King Philippe is the seventh Mathilde that the relations of gionally and multilaterally be- trade-related rules and regula- monarch in Belgium’s history. warm friendship between the Moreover, investments have tion material for the building tween Japan and the EU. This is tions. In belgium, the first steps of Imperial House of Japan and the continued to expand. Japan, industry), and Umicore SA (pre- a natural development, as our The second milestone of 2013 a new monarch traditionally in- Royal House of Belgium, inherit- which was one of the top in- cious metals and components societies are built on the shared was the joint political declara- clude visits to the capitals of all ed from previous generations, as vestors in Belgium owing to the for electrical batteries for the car values of democracy, political tion by Japan and NATO that the belgian provinces. This tra- well as between Japan and Bel- presence of some 287 Japanese industry). pluralism, rule of law, market was signed in april by Prime dition, called ‘‘blijde intredes’’ gium, be maintained and further investments, directly employing It has been a long time since economy and respect for basic Minister Shinzo abe and by in dutch or ‘‘joyeuses entrées’’ developed. more than 29,000 people, added Belgium could boast the opening The year 2013 was a good year some further ventures to its im- of three new production facilities Emile Claus (an impressionist) This year, no less than five cities in the development of Belgium’s pressive investment record. Mit- in Japan in a single year; this is a were also exhibited in Tokyo, (Nagoya, Yokohama, Osaka, Fu- A day to celebrate Belgium’s new King Philippe trade and cultural relations with subishi Chemicals, Sumitomo clear signal that Belgian compa- and extensively toured Japan. kuoka and Tokyo) were visited, Japan. Corp., Dentsu Inc. and JSR Corp. nies are not giving up on Japan. And finally, contemporary art- attracting some 138,000 visi- Takao Kusakari members of the Imperial family. At the same Building on the new impetus top the list of this year’s new The year 2013 was also ist Francis alÿs, who was born tors. The combination of quality President, Japan-Belgium Society time, presiding over the Belgian Economic provided by the economic mis- Japanese investments in my marked by a series of outstand- in belgium but has been living Belgian beers with belgian live Mission, he played an important role in sion of June 2012, our bilateral country. ing exhibitions of Belgian paint- in mexico for many years, was music (thus giving some of our On the occasion of the promoting bilateral economic activities between trade relations continued to de- In the opposite direction, ers and artists, touring Japan for granted a double exhibition at promising modern bands the Kingdom of Belgium’s King’s the two countries. Also, then H.R.H. Crown velop positively, notwithstand- some of the leading Belgian in- nearly a whole year. Works by the museum of Contemporary opportunity to make themselves Day, I extend my heartfelt Princess Mathilde traveled to the region ing the economic woes of the vestors in Japan continue to ex- famous 17th-century baroque Art, Tokyo, and at Hiroshima City known on the Japanese stage) congratulations. This year, a devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake euro- zone. in 2012, belgian pand their presence. The year painter rubens were shown in Museum of Contemporary Art. and belgian specialty dishes is new wind blew in the and tsunami. Her visit encouraged and cheered exports grew strongly for a fifth 2013 will see the opening of three different cities. modern To finish, a word about the in- clearly a formula for success that Kingdom of Belgium. On July up those who had lost loved ones and homes, consecutive year, reaching an three new factories: by Callebaut painters James Ensor (a precur- creasingly popular Belgian Beer has turned the BBWs into by far 21, H.R.H. Crown Prince and we truly appreciate the efforts she made. all-time high of 3.8 billion euros. NV (chocolate for professional sor of modern painting with Weekends (BBWs). Launched the single most important bel- Philippe, who visited Japan Along with political and economic aspects, a The results for the first months of use), ETEX NV, through its sub- a peculiar style of his own), in 2010, they have grown, year gian promotion event in Japan. last year, was sworn in as the wide variety of cultural exchange is also being 2013 confirm the upward trend. sidiary microtherm SA (insula- Paul delvaux (a surrealist) and after year, in size and popularity. seventh Belgian king, following the abdication made. We see Belgian cultural events being held of H.M. King Albert II. Therefore, marking the in Japan every day. One such example would first Kingdom of Belgium’s King’s Day since be the “Belgian Beer Weekend’’ that has become Soccer breaks down barriers between countries the announcement of the newly crowned king, an immense platform in further promoting I am certain H.M. King Philippe will be grass-roots cultural exchange between Japan congratulated greatly by the people of the and Belgium. This year, Fukuoka and Yokohama Damien Dome Kingdom of Belgium. joined Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in hosting the director, Belgian Tourist Office Last June, the new king, then crown prince, event. Wallonia-brussels in tokyo met with Their Imperial Majesties Emperor I pray for the everlasting bonds of friendship Akihito and Empress Michiko, and many other between Japan and Belgium. Last week, i received many calls from Japanese expatriates in eu- rope who wanted to know where they could get a Japanese Samurai team soccer uniform in Belgium. I first thought that it was a strange question and then i re- alized that my country will host two soccer games: Holland vs. Japan and then, Nov. 19, Belgium vs. Japan , which will take place in Brussels. Today, the Belgian Red Devil team is a winning team and Ancient and modern: (Above) Liege Guillemins is the main many of its players are stars railway station of the city of Liege. (Above right) St. Barthelemy abroad: The captain, vincent is the oldest religious construction in Liege, the exterior of Kompany, is also captain of which dates back to the 12th century. (Right) The city of Liege Manchester City; Marouane Fel- lies in the valley of the Meuse River. Wbt-pascale beroujon, laini is playing with Shinji Kawa- wbt-j.p. remy, o.t. liege marc verpoorten ga at manchester United; and Eden Hazard plays at Chelsea. washima is the goalkeeper of the “Reds,” but with a Liège ac- I am very proud of this mul- Standard Liège, where he plays cent typical of the French that ticultural part of the red devil with red devil Laurent Ciman. inspires a warm and quiet wel- team because it represents what So you see, our two countries’ come. Standard’s fans have a Belgium is: a country open to the teams know each other very reputation of dedication, ec- world. well, so i am expecting a very centricity and fun. Liège people dynamics: pride, eccentricity and our warm welcome when you visit In the Japanese team, Eiji Ka- exciting match Nov. 19. are indeed quite proud of their enjoying time together. Liège and bring your support to washima is the goalkeeper. Stay Standard de Liège is very fa- city. Today, the new station, de- You might not be able to go to Standard’s goalkeeper! with me because this is where mous in Belgium. It’s nickname signed by Santiago Calatrava, has Belgium to support the Japanese For more information, visit the story gets interesting: Ka- is “Les rouches,” which means become a symbol of the citizen’s Samurai, but you can always enjoy http://belgium-travel.jp Flanders art and seasonal fare

New museum opening nature, through a partnership museum’s highlights. The Musée Fin-de-Siècle Muse- formed with the royal Library, The museum’s art historians um will open Dec. 6 in Brussels, the Théâtre royal de la mon- have set out to create multidis- which was one of the artistic naie, the Royal Museums of Art ciplinary sensory experiences, capitals of the late 19th century and History, Cinematek, the such as guided tours combined with exhibitions of Les XX and Bibliotheca Wittockiana, the with discovery trails explor- La Libre esthetique between King Baudouin Foundation and ing art nouveau architecture in 1884 and 1914. the brussels Capital region for Brussels and “sound showers” The museum will be distin- housing the Gillion Crowet Col- using the latest museum tech- guished by its multidisciplinary lection, which will be one of the nology, which will allow visitors to make discoveries that are not merely intellectual but also cre- ative. For more information, visit http://www.fine-arts-museum. be/en/museums/musee-fin-de- siecle-museum Continued on page 5

Christmas in Brugge visitflanders

PAGE: 4 The Japan Times Friday, November 15, 2013 5 Belgium king’s day

Holiday fare: A Christmas market with around 250 stalls and a Christmas tree on the Grand-Place in Brussels www.milo-profibe Flanders art and seasonal fare

Continued from page 4 events, such as a Snow and ice Sculpture Festival (Nov. 22-Jan. Christmas markets 5), Winter Moments with Flow- The holiday season will again ers (Nov. 22-Dec. 1) and Decem- be celebrated with color- ber Dance (Dec. 4-15). ful Christmas trees and busy Also, various Christmas mar- Christmas markets offering all kets featuring regional special- kinds of goodies. Ice rinks, car- ties and special events will be ol concerts and plenty of events held throughout Flanders, in- will ensure a wonderful Christ- cluding antwerp, Ghent, Has- mas time. selt, Leuven, Mechelen, Ostend In the capital Brussels, there and ypres from late November will be a Christmas market with through December. around 250 stalls, fairground attractions, a 1,050-sq.-meter Information provided by Visit ice rink with a Winter Cafe and Flanders / Tourist Office for Christmas tree, and a light show Flanders-Brussels. on the Grand-Place. For more information, visit In brugge, besides a Christ- www.visitflanders.com . mas market, there will be special

Christmas in Antwerp antwerpen toerisme & congres