10 The Japan Times Thursday, November 15, 2012 第３種郵便物認可 Belgium king’s day Warm bilateral relations continue

Luc Liebaut taking part in it. We are now wit- economic mission, was a con- Ambassador of Belgium nessing the first impact on our crete opportunity to reaffirm the bilateral trade relations, which excellent relations between our This year’s belgian economic have expanded considerably the two countries. mission led by h.R.H. Prince last few years, notwithstanding The meeting allowed the Bel- Philippe, heir to the throne of the economic downturn we are gian foreign minister to express Belgium, will experiencing in the euro-zone. his gratitude for the active role remain a mile- Many belgian companies who Japan is playing in the framework stone in the re- took part in the economic mis- of the Bretton Woods institutions cent bilateral re- sion in June have already come (World bank and International lations between back to Japan to explore further Monetary Fund), the Group of Belgium and avenues of cooperation with Eight and the Group of 20, de- Japan. h.R.H Japanese companies. cisively contributing to prevent Prince Philippe This year’s economic mission a global economic downturn. came to Japan was also an opportunity for our Moreover, minister reynders from June 11 to 16 accompa- country to highlight some of our confirmed to his Japanese coun- nied by a delegation of no less strengths. The pharmaceutical terpart that the belgian govern- than four ministers and about industry and biotech companies ment is strongly in favor of the 280 businessmen, officials and are thriving in Belgium because opening of negotiations on a free academics. The mission bridged of the quality of our universities, trade agreement between Japan a long gap as the last belgian the favorable business climate, and the european union. bel- Long-standing relations: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko economic mission of similar the support the government is gium favors the conclusion of an welcome Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde to the size and purpose to visit Japan providing to research and devel- ambitious, comprehensive FTA Imperial Court on June 12 during the latter couple’s visit to Royal pair: King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium attend the wedding of Luxembourg’s heir, dated back to 2005 when H.R.H. opment (R&D) and our highly that would tackle both the issue Japan on an economic mission. Kyodo Prince Guillaume, and Countess Stephanie at the Royal Palace in Luxembourg on Oct. 19. Ap Prince Philippe led an economic productive and qualified work- of the elimination of tariffs and mission to Tokyo and Nagoya on force. Information and com- the removal of non-tariff barriers, Japan is being passed to the next of Japan and the World Bank as 2012 the event was extended to the occasion of the Aichi World munications technology (ICT), and that would also provide for a generation. a part of the IMF-WBG annual a third city, Nagoya. Next year, Expo. all companies, institu- high-tech and nanotech compa- greater harmonization of regula- When it comes to global is- Meetings program. the organizers hope to include tions and associations commit- nies also benefit from a Belgian tions and standards. sues, development cooperation Culture has always been an two other major Japanese cities ted to the promotion of close business environment open However, this 2012 economic and human rights across the important aspect of the relations in the program. As for dance and ties between Belgium and Japan to cooperation, with private or mission was not only about world, Belgium and Japan often between Japan and belgium. theater, the Ghent-based dance contributed to the success of the other partners, from europe or trade, investment relations, aca- have almost identical positions. At this moment, two important company Les ballets c de la b of mission. I would like to express the world. The logistics sector, a demic cooperation and bilateral In July, Japan hosted the Tokyo exhibitions of some of the most Belgian director Alain Platel per- my gratitude to the Belgian and traditionally strong sector of the ministerial meetings. The warm Conference on afghanistan, well-known Belgian artists of the formed at the Tokyo Internation- Japanese companies that gave Belgian economy, has attracted ties of friendship between the which laid important bench- late 19th and early 20th century al Dance Triennale. And in Octo- H.R.H. Prince Philippe such a many Japanese companies to Japanese and belgian reign- marks to assess how the Afghan are still touring Japan: an exhibi- ber, the Shiki Theater Company warm welcome during the eco- Belgium. Finally, the picture ing families were reinforced as government will progress toward tion of James ensor and one of brought to life a masterpiece of nomic mission; to the Japan- would not be complete without Their royal highnesses Prince stabilization and development. Paul Delvaux. In another artistic literature: “Blue Bird” by Belgian Belgium society, the belgian- mentioning the sector of quality Philippe and Princess mathilde This year, Japan also hosted the genre, music, arsenal, marka, Nobel Prize-winner maurice Luxembourg Chamber of Com- consumer goods, which are con- were kindly received by Their Annual Meetings of the IMF and Roland and Pieter Jan De Smet, Maeterlinck. Finally, soccer fans merce in Japan and the belgo- tributing strongly to the image of Imperial majesties emperor the World Bank Group, with an entertained the crowds at the also celebrated belgium-Japan Luxembourg market Council; Belgium as a country of exquisite Akihito and empress michiko unparalleled sense of organiza- five-day event dedicated to friendship this year: supporters and to the Japanese authorities, food and refined lifestyle. and met with Their Imperial tional hospitality. drawing les- Belgian beer, the belgian beer of belgian football club royal the Foreign ministry in the first Politically, the bilateral meet- Highnesses Crown Prince Na- sons from the Great east Japan Weekend, which has become Standard de Liège, famous in place, for their efficient coopera- ing of Belgian Minister of Foreign ruhito and Princess Masako and Earthquake of march 2011, Ja- a yearly tradition in Tokyo and Belgium for their passion and tion in organizing the mission. Affairs Didier Reynders with his Prince and Princess Hitachi. The pan shared important conclu- Osaka. The belgian beer Week- liveliness, welcomed the out- The economic mission was Japanese counterpart, Koichiro traditionally warm relationship sions on disaster risk mitigation ends have become the flagship standing Japanese goalkeeper Constitutional monarchy: The Belgian Senate is one of the deemed a huge success by the Genba, which took place on between the royal family of Bel- at the Sendai Ministerial Confer- event for the promotion of bel- Eiji Kawashima to their club this hearts of the country’s federal legislative power. Christine businessmen and academics June 13 on the sidelines of the gium and the Imperial family of ence hosted by the government gian beer and food in Japan. In summer. bastin and Jacques evrard / fpsfa New Flemish experiences await in Bruges, Antwerp

Historium in Bruges the content and historical set- States with all their belongings The red star Line museum Bruges is set to become an even ting but also due to its fantas- packed in just a few trunks. This does not bury itself in the past. more attractive tourist destina- tic location on the old market new world is the promised land Migration is a universal phe- tion with the launch of histo- square of bruges. There could for all those in search of happi- nomenon and it is of all times, rium, officially opening Nov. not be a better location given ness and a better life. For many most certainly today and most 25. The concept of Historium is that the 600-year-old story por- people, life in the U.S. and Cana- certainly in a port city. not that of a museum but of a trayed in historium took place da actually began in a warehouse In the museum you learn multimedia experience center exactly on this spot. Further- in the port of Antwerp. about the city in a different where visitors make a fascinat- more, the close cooperation of Between 1873 and 1934 the perspective. you walk in the ing journey to the distant past, the Tourism Office for Flanders, ocean liners from the red star footsteps of people that could to the glorious world of bru- Toerisme brugge and the tour- Line sailed to the U.S. with more have been, or maybe are, your ges in the year 1435. When you ist guide associations is a major than 2 million adventurers and ancestors. you are invited to visit Historium, you step into a asset. There will also be a his- fortune-hunters on board. linger for a while on a certain time machine that transports torium city walk that perfectly The red star Line museum idea. antwerp, and by expan- you to the streets of medieval complements the visit to the tells the story of millions of Eu- sion any place in the world, is Bruges where snowflakes are experience center. ropeans who had the courage what it is today because of the gently falling, to the bustle of a to leave everything behind and people that once lived there. world seaport, to the studio of The Red Star Line Museum go away, in search of happiness And the future of the city is be- the painter Jan van eyck. Film On sept. 27, 2013, the red star and a better life. It is a story of ing shaped by the people who clips, beautiful decor, a com- Line museum will open in the high expectations and huge inhabit it today. pelling love story, special ef- historic warehouses of the red disappointments, a story about Opening soon: A poster of the fects and atmospheric music all Star Line shipping company in adrenaline and sleepless nights. Information provided by the Red Star Line, whose historic combine to create a unique total Antwerp. In the old buildings of the ship- Tourist Office for Flanders- warehouses in Antwerp will experience. From 1800 onward, millions ping company all these emo- Brussels. For more information, reopen as a museum on Sept. Enthusiasm: Next year on May 25 will be exactly 100 years since the first Tour of Flanders. The Historium is destined to be a of people took the ships sail- tions and stories are tangible visit www.visitflanders.com . 27, 2013. red Star Line Museum region is planning celebrations, exhibitions, events and new cycling routes. H.A. roth-foto success not only on account of ing from europe for the united and visible. Antwerp

PAGE: 10 第３種郵便物認可 The Japan Times Thursday, November 15, 2012 11 Belgium king’s day Close bilateral ties prospering

Takao Kusakari and belgium have long enjoyed economic activities between President, Japan-Belgium Society very close relations not only in Belgium and Japan. the economic, political and diplo- Also, H.R.H. Princess Mathilde On the occasion matic realms, but also in the cul- traveled to the region devastated of the Kingdom tural and social spheres. It goes by the Great east Japan earth- of belgium’s without saying that this excellent quake and tsunami. Her visit very King’s Day, I ex- relationship is based on more much encouraged and cheered tend my heart- than 80 years of good and stable up those who had lost loved ones felt congratula- exchanges between Japan’s Impe- and homes, and we truly appre- tions on behalf rial family and the royal family of ciate the efforts she made. of the Japan- the Kingdom of Belgium. I sincerely pray for the greater Belgium Society. In June, the Belgian Economic prosperity of the Kingdom of It is indeed a matter for rejoicing Mission, presided over by H.R.H. Belgium, which is playing an in- that his majesty King albert II, Prince Philippe, visited Japan. creasingly important role in the Her majesty Queen Paola and The mission, the largest Belgian European Union. the royal family of belgium are delegation to Japan since 2005, I also pray for the everlasting in good health. successfully played an impor- bonds of friendship between Ja- I am pleased to note that Japan tant role in promoting bilateral pan and Belgium. UNESCO World Heritage sites in Wallonia

There are seven grand belfries in the south of Belgium in the Wal- lonia region registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Belfries were built as symbols of a municipality around the 11th to 17th centuries. They became a symbol of the power and pros- perity of the city. Four mines (the Grand-Hornu, Cultural heritages: The Bois du Cazier is one of the four best Bois-du-Luc, the Bois du Cazier, preserved places of coal mining in Belgium. Below, the Blegny-Mine) were registered as Ducasse de Mons is a popular festival featuring the procession World Heritage sites in July 2012. of St. George. g.focant-spw, opt-j.jeanmart As the Wallonia region was a ma- jor coal production area, the re- gion supported the development and rise of modern industry in Belgium in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is not an exaggera- tion to say that the foundation of present Belgium owes itself to the Wallonia region’s coal indus- try. The four mines preserve the daily life of a mine worker and this is the key point to them be- ing World Heritage sites. The region of mons, where Grand-Hornu is located, has been designated as a european Capital of Culture for 2015. Mons intends to open six new muse- ums and a new railway station UNESCO intangible heritage. Brussels and Wallonia. For will be constructed. more information, visit Mons is also known for the Information provided by the www.belgium-travel.jp . Ducasse de mons, listed as a Belgian Tourist Office for