Remarks by Ambassador Akio ISOMATA at the reception commemorating the 65th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (February 18, 2025)
2025/2/18
Ayubowan, Wanakkam, Assalam alykum, Konbanwa!
Thank you very much for attending tonight's event to commemorate the 65th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. I am very happy to be able to celebrate this anniversary with you all in the 7th year of Reiwa Era under the reign of His Majesty. If we count the year using the earlier Japanese era name of Showa, when Japan saw a devastating war, post-war reconstruction and rapid development, it is the 100th year from the start of the Showa Era. I believe the old era name of Showa rings a nostalgic bell in many of our old Sri Lankan friends here today.
Solid foundation of Japan-Sri Lanka relations
For the Japanese, the Emperor’s Birthday also serves as an occasion to reflect upon our past and to envision our path ahead. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the WW II and the establishment of the United Nations. I made my first trip to Trincomalee last month, during which I visited the site of a Japanese fighter plane crashing into one of the oil tanks there some eighty years ago. It reminded me of the sad part of our history involving Sri Lanka. Japan started all over again from the scratch after the war, with the support of many friendly countries. And among those countries, we never forget Sri Lanka with the memory of H.E. J.R. Jayawardene, representing the then Government of Ceylon in the San Francisco Peace Conference and expressing strong support for a free and independent Japan, while renouncing its own reparation claims. Having celebrated 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations three years ago, Japan, as a longstanding socio-economic development partner, enjoys truly friendly and cooperative relationship with Sri Lanka based upon mutual trust and respect. Japan greatly appreciates Sri Lanka’s continued support for Japan’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Japan’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s development
I do not intend to go through a list of recent bilateral cooperative endeavors. But, just allow me to refer to the most recent visit by a senior Japanese government official to Sri Lanka, by way of which, I want to highlight Japan's unwavering commitment to working together with the government and people of Sri Lanka. In a series of meetings with the president, the prime minister and others earlier this month, Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ikuina, conveyed the message of Prime Minister Ishiba that Japan will continue to extend cooperation to Sri Lanka, under the ever-evolving Comprehensive Partnership, for quality and inclusive growth, with the well-being of its people first and foremost in mind. For that purpose, Japan continues to assist Sri Lanka in bridging economic gaps among regions and income gaps in the society, developing human resources, uplifting quality of life of the people, in addition to developing necessary infrastructure for economic growth. We will also cooperate with Sri Lanka in fighting corruption and delivering on "Clean Sri Lanka."
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and Sri Lanka
This year Japan is hosting Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, with its opening in less than two months from now. When Japan hosted Expo Osaka in 1970, the first World Expo in Asia, the Geoffrey Bawa-designed Ceylon Pavilion was one of the most popular pavilions with so many eye-catching exhibition items including a giant blue sapphire. Expo 2025 is an ideal opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote to the world, not only its amazing natural and cultural features to attract world tourists, but also its ongoing efforts for economic recovery to attract investors from around the world. Japan sincerely hopes that the Government of Sri Lanka will make the best use of this opportunity.
Tapping rich human resources of Sri Lanka
The theme of Expo 2025 is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." The idea is to make individuals think about how they want to live and how they can maximize their potential. We are now seeing an increasing number of young Sri Lankans going to Japan for study and work. We can also tap this pool of rich human resources with innovative ideas and solutions in order for Sri Lanka to turn a variety of its potential into reality, and let it flourish for the benefit of both Sri Lanka and the world. Japan is ready to continue to work together with Sri Lanka in this endeavor.
Thank you once again for being with us today, and I wish you all an enjoyable evening.
Thank you very much for attending tonight's event to commemorate the 65th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. I am very happy to be able to celebrate this anniversary with you all in the 7th year of Reiwa Era under the reign of His Majesty. If we count the year using the earlier Japanese era name of Showa, when Japan saw a devastating war, post-war reconstruction and rapid development, it is the 100th year from the start of the Showa Era. I believe the old era name of Showa rings a nostalgic bell in many of our old Sri Lankan friends here today.
Solid foundation of Japan-Sri Lanka relations
For the Japanese, the Emperor’s Birthday also serves as an occasion to reflect upon our past and to envision our path ahead. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the WW II and the establishment of the United Nations. I made my first trip to Trincomalee last month, during which I visited the site of a Japanese fighter plane crashing into one of the oil tanks there some eighty years ago. It reminded me of the sad part of our history involving Sri Lanka. Japan started all over again from the scratch after the war, with the support of many friendly countries. And among those countries, we never forget Sri Lanka with the memory of H.E. J.R. Jayawardene, representing the then Government of Ceylon in the San Francisco Peace Conference and expressing strong support for a free and independent Japan, while renouncing its own reparation claims. Having celebrated 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations three years ago, Japan, as a longstanding socio-economic development partner, enjoys truly friendly and cooperative relationship with Sri Lanka based upon mutual trust and respect. Japan greatly appreciates Sri Lanka’s continued support for Japan’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
Japan’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s development
I do not intend to go through a list of recent bilateral cooperative endeavors. But, just allow me to refer to the most recent visit by a senior Japanese government official to Sri Lanka, by way of which, I want to highlight Japan's unwavering commitment to working together with the government and people of Sri Lanka. In a series of meetings with the president, the prime minister and others earlier this month, Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ikuina, conveyed the message of Prime Minister Ishiba that Japan will continue to extend cooperation to Sri Lanka, under the ever-evolving Comprehensive Partnership, for quality and inclusive growth, with the well-being of its people first and foremost in mind. For that purpose, Japan continues to assist Sri Lanka in bridging economic gaps among regions and income gaps in the society, developing human resources, uplifting quality of life of the people, in addition to developing necessary infrastructure for economic growth. We will also cooperate with Sri Lanka in fighting corruption and delivering on "Clean Sri Lanka."
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and Sri Lanka
This year Japan is hosting Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, with its opening in less than two months from now. When Japan hosted Expo Osaka in 1970, the first World Expo in Asia, the Geoffrey Bawa-designed Ceylon Pavilion was one of the most popular pavilions with so many eye-catching exhibition items including a giant blue sapphire. Expo 2025 is an ideal opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote to the world, not only its amazing natural and cultural features to attract world tourists, but also its ongoing efforts for economic recovery to attract investors from around the world. Japan sincerely hopes that the Government of Sri Lanka will make the best use of this opportunity.
Tapping rich human resources of Sri Lanka
The theme of Expo 2025 is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." The idea is to make individuals think about how they want to live and how they can maximize their potential. We are now seeing an increasing number of young Sri Lankans going to Japan for study and work. We can also tap this pool of rich human resources with innovative ideas and solutions in order for Sri Lanka to turn a variety of its potential into reality, and let it flourish for the benefit of both Sri Lanka and the world. Japan is ready to continue to work together with Sri Lanka in this endeavor.
Thank you once again for being with us today, and I wish you all an enjoyable evening.