6 THE JAPAN TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2010 (3) Belgian prime minister’s visit Belgium, Japan grow New Embassy of Belgium in Japan opens The Embassy of Belgium is two or perhaps three genera- Belgium’s political and diplo- celebrating the opening of its tions of Japanese and Belgian matic representation in Ja- strong from their people new embassy building in To- friends of all walks of life. Its pan. Therefore, the tearing kyo on April 8 with an official excellent location at the heart down of the premises became ceremony followed by a recep- of the quiet Chiyoda Ward, at unavoidable. Yves Leterme central location in the European tion in the presence of Yves a walking distance from the In 2006, the Belgian govern- PRIME MINISTER OF BELGIUM Union, a market of half a billion Leterme, prime minister of Imperial Palace, played an ment launched a public tender --------------------------------------- people; and the presence in our Belgium, and Steven Vanack- important role in making it an procedure to select a candi- If the possession of rich natural capital of the European ere, deputy prime minister attractive place for homely date to buy a part of the em- resources was a condition for institutions. Our relatively cheap and minister of foreign affairs get-togethers. During those bassy grounds and to build an national wealth, Japan and rents come as an added bonus. of Belgium. occasions, shape and content embassy complex on the re- Belgium would be poor I am very glad that many After two years of construc- have been given to the very maining land. Among seven countries. But clearly, things do Japanese companies discovered tion, the Embassy of Belgium friendly relations between competitors, the Belgian gov- not work that way. It is well those assets many years ago. We in Tokyo returns to its premis- both countries and peoples. ernment selected the Japa- known that Japan is the very much value the presence of es in Kojimachi, in the very All ambassadors with no ex- nese consortium MTOB (Mi- second-largest economy in the 220 Japanese companies in same grounds where then Bel- ception took pride in hosting tsubishi Estate Co., Takenaka world. Belgium, for its part, Belgium, the tens of thousands of gian diplomat Albert de Bas- functions, concerts and re- Corp. and architect Noriake ranks fourteenth in the world in jobs they have created, the sompierre took possession of ceptions at their residence Okabe). terms of Gross National investment of $2.2 billion in 2008. the country’s first embassy in that many of the guests have From the end of 2007, the re- Product per capita, 20th in I hope that they will continue to Tokyo 80 years ago. considered as one of the most development project of the GNP in absolute figures, and appreciate the business For almost half a century pleasant in town. Belgian embassy property 12th in the value of its exports. environment we offer. the old embassy compound However, at the turn of cen- was realized. The new block We owe the relative I also warmly invite new with the residence of the am- tury the embassy buildings no was designed in the spirit of Yves Leterme © CHANCERY positions of our densely companies to come and avail bassador and its renowned longer fully met the high stan- the human scale that charac- OF THE PRIME MINISTER-DGEC populated countries to themselves of the opportunities Japanese garden had been a dards of safety and prestige terizes historic European investment in the most ranks Belgium as the most we offer in the heart of the privileged meeting place for that may be expected from towns. The southern, triangu- precious asset any country globalized country worldwide. European Union. They will not lar part is occupied by the em- has, its people. We owe it to Among our principal assets only discover economic bassy, prolonged with a gar- investment in education, in are, the study says, ‘‘the opportunities, but also a country den of both Belgian and Japa- learning, in innovation. availability of a highly educated with a high quality of life, a country nese inspiration. The height of A recently published study of and productive workforce’’ and moreover with excellent relations the two buildings is scaled in the Belgium Japan of a ‘‘multilingual workforce.’’ with Japan, which are symbolized relation to their surroundings Association, which compares The study also mentions our by the close links between the and the white wall separating the business climate of favorable taxation policy Imperial House of Japan and the both properties stands as a Belgium and its neighbors, toward foreign companies; our Royal House of Belgium. homage to the old property wall, reminiscent of a tradi- tional Japanese mansion. The embassy building is set New face: The Belgian Embassy building incorporates World class in many industries on a podium facing the plaza limestone from Portugal in its northwest facade. ©NOAN named ‘‘Belgium Square,’’ paved with blue stone from cally European appearance to ambassador, diplomats and Steven Vanackere specific and attractive niche Belgium. the Belgian representation in other staff members. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF markets where they develop The northwest facade is an- Japan. Another interesting feature FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INSTITUTIONAL groundbreaking solutions that other distinctive feature of the The embassy building con- of this new building is its state- REFORM OF BELGIUM can be of use for a whole set of building. With its curved cor- tains not only the chancellery of-the-art shock absorption ------------------------------------------ industries. It goes without say- ner and its coating of lime- and other offices, but also a system, which makes it par- I cannot but agree with Prime ing that Japan’s world re- Back home: Steps lead up to the entrance of the Belgian stone from Portugal, it pro- spacious reception space as ticularly resistant to earth- Minister Yves Leterme that nowned high-tech companies Embassy’s new building. T.OKAMOTO©NOAN vides a sophisticated and typi- well as the residences for the quakes. Belgium offers a very high will find reliable and highly quality of life. For several de- flexible partners in Belgium. cades, many Japanese con- Let me also remind you of Tradition of friendly relations resumes after two-year hiatus sumers have enjoyed the prod- Belgium’s excellent and well- ucts of the Belgian food and known reputation in the phar- luxury industries. Famous maceutical and chemical in- Johan Maricou returned to its home of almost tions, concerts and receptions. Elizabeth will perform at the need. boutiques, for instance in dustries. The port of Antwerp AMBASSADOR OF BELGIUM half a century, at the heart of Be assured that I, together Kioi Hall tonight, to further I wish you all the best of luck Omotesando and Ginza, testi- harbors the second most im- ------------------------------------------ quiet Chiyoda Ward. A brand with my successors in Tokyo, mark the occasion. with your business endeavors fy to the excellence of our fash- portant petrochemical cluster There are reasons from A to Z new compound building has will be eager to continue this It is my contribution as an in Belgium. ion industry. in the world. For many inves- to be in Belgium and I think indeed been erected over the tradition, thereby contribut- ambassador of my country in ------------------------------- Still, one should not forget Steven Vanackere tors in the sector, this offers both Mr. Leterme and Mr. last two years at this same lo- ing to shape the very friendly Japan to ensure that the Bel- Contact information: that Belgium is also a world- unique opportunities. V a nackere cation, within walking dis- relations between our coun- gian Embassy, with its Re- — The Trade Office for Flanders class partner in other indus- and used by many, often Dynamism, creativity, flex- have given the tance from the Imperial Pal- tries and peoples. gional Trade Offices for Brus- (Flanders Investment and Trade) tries. One example is the avia- small- and medium-size Bel- ibility and technological excel- readers of The ace grounds. To mark the end of this two- sels, Flanders and Wallonia, is c/o Embassy of Belgium 3F, 5-4 tion industry: Belgian compa- gian companies in sectors lence can be added to the long Japan Times It is my sincere wish that year hiatus, a grand opening able to welcome you. With the Nibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo nies participate, for instance, ranging from industrial auto- list of Belgian qualities and as- enough inspira- the new embassy will, just like in the presence of, among oth- commitment that you can al- E-mail (Investments): in the production of the Airbus mation, information and com- sets already mentioned by tion as to why the previous one, prove an at- ers, the Minister of Foreign ways rely on, the tailor-made [email protected] 380. munication technologies to Prime Minister Leterme. Belgium mat- tractive place for homely get- Affairs of Belgium will be held support from the great variety E-mail (Trade): The technology industry is a mechatronic engineering, Many Japanese firms have al- ters to business togethers for several genera- today, April 8, 2010. In addi- of investment experts working [email protected] pillar of the Belgian economy. plastics and composites and ready found their way to Bel- in Europe and tions of Japanese and Belgian tion, a Japanese winner and a at the embassy and the Bel- — The Trade Office for Brussels Innovative materials, intelli- the automotive industry. gium. I am convinced others the world. friends of all walks of life. Our Japanese finalist of the fa- gian authorities there, I can Capital Region gent process design and new Quite often these Belgian com- will follow and will enjoy a As I deliver this message to old embassy enjoyed a rich mous Belgian musical contest only express my sincere hope c/o Embassy of Belgium 3F, 5-4 technologies are developed panies take the lead in very bright future in Belgium.