Ayubowan! Wanakkam!
 
I am greatly honoured to come to and serve in this beautiful country, Sri Lanka, as Ambassador of Japan, assuming my duty in late October 2024. Sri Lanka deeply attracts me by its multi-faceted appeal, with long history, rich culture, religion pulsating in people’s lives, diverse scenic beauty, as well as age-old friendly and cooperative relationship with Japan.
 
Sri Lanka has been playing a critically important role in maritime trade and transportation across the Indian Ocean since olden days. And now as Japan promotes “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision, Sri Lanka is positioned to be its strategic partner, gaining increasing importance as ever. In recent years Japan and Sri Lanka, both being maritime nations, have been strengthening cooperation in the field of maritime safety and security, such as capacity- building of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and provision of patrol vessels. Japan has also been a long-standing development partner of Sri Lanka, and worked together with the country in developing infrastructure, promoting agriculture, improving medical and healthcare environment, and supporting capacity-building of human resources for sustainable development, just to name but a few.
 
We often say in Japan, “Education is the foundation upon which a nation is built.” Japan has long been a staunch advocate of education and human resource development (HRD) and has put that belief into action in its policy measures over the centuries. The World Bank report of 1993, titled ‘The East Asian Miracle,’ attributes the post-WW II reconstruction and development of Japan through 1960s more to investment in human capital than to investment in physical capital such as infrastructure. In July this year, Japan and Sri Lanka agreed on a new round of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS), which has been implemented over the last 16 years, with a view to supporting capacity-building of young Sri Lankan government officials. Japan will continue its cooperation in the field of HRD for socio-economic development and governance reforms of Sri Lanka.
 
It is my strong belief that people are the true bridge between nations, and that only heart-to-heart exchanges among people across a border can truly strengthen a bond of friendship between the nations on each side of the border. In the San Francisco Peace Conference held in 1951 after WW II, H. E. J. R. Jayewardene, the then Finance Minister representing the Government of Ceylon, made a very moving speech citing the phase from the Dhammapada “Hatred ceases not by hatred, but by love,” renounced reparation claims, and expressed strong support for a free and independent Japan. This statement by H. E. J. R. Jayewardene eloquently exemplifies a profound bond connecting Japan and Sri Lanka. I sincerely hope that peoples of the two countries, remembering our historic bond, continue to walk together a path ahead toward the future.
 
The Embassy of Japan is committed to do its utmost to further promote and strengthen the time-honoured relationship between the two countries. And, for us to forge ahead towards that goal, we welcome your suggestions and comments. Let us carry on!
 
ISOMATA Akio
Ambassador of Japan