The Japan Times Saturday, November 15, 2014 5 king’s day

Sharing similar economic, social, political values Fostering long-term relationship Takao Kusakari President, Japan-Belgium Society Luc Liebaut The meeting between the state of our bilateral relations Ambassador of belgium two prime ministers confirmed and decided to give them a new It is with great pleasure that we celebrate an- — once again, I would say — impetus in the run-up to 2016, other anniversary of the King’s Day of Bel- Looking back that both our countries have the year in which we will cele- gium. This year, there were no particular upon 2014, the convergent, even almost iden- brate the 150th anniversary of events between the Belgian Royal family and most important tical views with regard to the the establishment of diplomat- the Japanese Imperial family, but both coun- development in different global challenges and ic relations between belgium tries have been further deepening their close the bilateral re- regional issues we are con- and Japan. relationship through many exchanges, not lations between fronted with. Short-term action will focus only in politics and the economy, but also in Japan and Bel- Whether we discuss the is- on the political and economic culture, art, music, education and sports. gium was un- sues of the Ukraine or Mali, or field with a visit of the Belgian It is no exaggeration to say that Japan sees Belgium-relat- doubtedly the the territorial disputes and mar- prime minister to Japan in the ed events taking place every day somewhere in the nation. visit of Prime Minister Shinzo itime tensions in East-Asia or in first months of 2015, a modern- One such example would be the “Belgian Beer Weekends” Abe to Belgium on May 6 and 7, the South China Sea, both our ization of the legal framework that have become significant opportunities to promote a a visit that was organized back- countries systematically call for in the economic field and the grass-roots cultural exchange between Japan and Belgium. to-back with the 2014 EU-Japan dialogue, mutual respect and organization of a seminar in This year, Sendai has joined Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka Summit and with meetings of negotiations, as well as for the Tokyo to stimulate Japanese in- and Yokohama in hosting the events. the prime minister at NATO. respect of international law vestments in Belgium and Bel- In 2016, Japan and Belgium will celebrate the 150th anni- The visit allowed both prime while resolutely rejecting coer- gian investments in Japan. versary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Com- ministers to compare notes on cion, the use of force and at- Notwithstanding the slow merce. Diplomatic relations between the two countries thus a wide range of international is- tempts to unilaterally impose King Philippe (center) and Queen Mathilde, former King Albert (fourth right) and Queen Paola pace of the economic recovery started at the end of the Edo period. However, the record of sues, to discuss the future of re- changes on the ground. with Royal family members chancery of the prime minister-photographer: michel gronemberger in Europe, Belgium remains an the firstB elgian’s visit to Japan goes back even further to the lations between Japan and the At the same time, the Belgian attractive destination for Japa- time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, when a Belgian missionary set European Union and to review prime minister welcomed the gic Partnership agreement” promotion of our common presence of Japanese compa- nese investors. In this regard, foot on Japanese soil in 1588. thoroughly the state of play of determination of the Abe ad- (SPA) and the “Free trade rules on the world scene, the nies in Belgium and a sizable it should be noted that — Japan and Belgium have built close and friendly rela- our bilateral relations. ministration to proactively Agreement” (FTA). belgium, FTA should allow us to almost presence of Belgian companies owing to new investments in tions over the years and I sincerely hope the upcoming Japan and Belgium (and, in a contribute to peace and stabil- too, is of the opinion that the fully liberalize trade in goods in Japan; a high-level of trade; the energy and service sectors major milestone will lead both countries to further develop larger scope, the european ity; a development that opens negotiations are progressing and services, to eliminate non- and relations of warm friend- — the number of Japanese in- their friendship. Union as Belgian’s foreign pol- promising perspectives for well and that they could lead to tariff barriers and achieve a high ship between the Imperial vestments in Belgium recently icy is largely conducted in the closer cooperation between a successful conclusion in 2015 degree of harmonization of House of Japan and the Royal increased to over 300 compa- framework of the Common For- Japan and Belgium/the Euro- provided, of course, that the standards and other trade-relat- House of belgium, inherited nies employing more than and popularity and this year, no promising modern bands the eign and Security Policy of the pean union, including in scope and the level of ambition ed rules and regulations. from previous generations and 29.000 people. less than six cities (Nagoya, Yo- opportunity to become known European Union) are united by peacekeeping operations. of the agreements are not Our bilateral relations are cherished and matured by His In closing, a word about the kohama, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sen- on the Japanese stage) and Bel- the shared values on which our Japan and the european downgraded. characterized by long-standing Majesty Emperor Akihito and increasingly popular belgian dai and tokyo) were visited, gian specialty dishes is clearly a societies, our economies and Union also share the determi- Whereas the SPA should pave political relations of friendship His Majesty King Philippe, King Beer Weekends (BBWs) or Bel- attracting some 162,000 visitors. success formula that has tuned our political systems are based. nation to build a strengthened the way for closer political, se- and trust; a dense network of of the Belgians. gian Festivals, which were The combination of quality Bel- the BBWs into by far the single These values also lie at the heart relationship, the legal basis of curity and global economic co- cultural and scientific coopera- Both prime ministers posi- launched in 2010. These have gian beers with belgian live most important Belgian promo- of our foreign policies. which will be both the “Strate- operation and a better tion and exchanges; a strong tively evaluated the present grown, year after year, in size music (giving some of our tion event in Japan. 2015, European Flanders: Center of art, cycling heritage capital of culture Art exhibitions In the spring of 2015, a unique exhibition on Peter Paul ru- Damien Dome Waudru, The , The bens, “Rubens in private,” director, Belgian tourist Office Ascent of the Golden Chariot which runs from March 28 to -brussels in tokyo and a re-enactment of combat June 28, will present portraits known as the Lumeçon. It has of rubens’ family members The city of Mons, only 50 min- been recognized by UNESCO and relatives. These works utes by train from brussels, as an Oral and Intangible Her- were not commissioned, but possesses numerous listed itage of Humanity since No- were a labor of love and are the sites such as a singular monu- vember 2005 most beautiful and intimate ment, and the symbol of Mons, Mons 2015’s theme, “Where paintings Rubens ever created. the belfry, which was built in technology meets culture,” will Grand Place (above) and the Next year, these stunning por- the 17th century and is a be a bridge between the city’s belfry in the city of Mons traits will be returning to his UNESCO World Heritage site, past cultural heritage and its visitmons, gregory mathelot/ former home in Antwerp for Self-portrait by Peter Paul city hall or the Sainte-Waudru future development in the field wbt, jp remy the first time. Rubens Antwerpen The annual “Ronde van Vlaanderen,” or Tour of Flanders will take collegiate treasure. of digital arts, in which the Since January 2010, the Ca- rubenshuis collectiebeleid place on April 5 in 2015. PATrick verhoest Every year — May 31 in 2015 town is a world leader. Cell No. 2, Poetic turbulence” thedral of our Lady in ant- — Mons and its Grand Place Many events will take place exhibition will examine nu- werp has become a treasure shine in the setting for which com) provides an all encom- the tour, thousands of cycling are the main stage for a re- in 2015 such as the “Van Gogh merous unseen objects and trove of religious art as the they were originally created. passing platform to discover tourists will be able to cycle the markable folklore event: The in the Borinage, the birth of an previously unseen works of prestigious exhibition “Re- Flanders’ cycling culture, course themselves. Ducasse de Mons, or Doudou, artist” exhibition. During his Paul Verlaine, one of the most union, From Quinten Metsys Cycling in Flanders sharing the little-known se- is a popular festival that origi- stay of almost two years in talented French Poets, who to Peter Paul Rubens. Master- Flanders is an all-in cycling crets, including cycling paths Information provided by Visit nated in the middle ages. Mons, Van Gogh ended his ca- was imprisoned in Mons after pieces from the Royal Museum destination. For everyone and events. Flanders/Tourist Office for There are four key episodes: reer as a clergyman by choos- a rift with arthur rimbaud Back in the Cathedral,” is on- from hard-core cyclists to pas- Among the highlights is the Flanders & Brussels, Belgium. The descent of the shrine hold- ing the life of an artist (Jan. 24 (March 14 to June 14). going through 2017. sionate supporters, the “Cy- annual Tour of Flanders, which For more information, visit ing the relics of the Holy Lady to May 17). Also, the “Verlaine, Organized by the cathedral cling in Flanders” website will take place on april 5 in www.visitflanders.com. For more information, visit and the Royal Museum of Fine (http://cycling-in-flanders. 2015. On April 4, the day before www.belgium-travel.jp or Arts Antwerp, eight monumen- www.mons2015.eu tal altarpieces painted and carved by celebrated masters

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