H.E. Mr. Hideto Mitamura
January 2012
Dear Friends,
More than one year has passed already since I arrived in Wellington in October 2010.
In 2011 both Japan and New Zealand suffered large earthquakes, and sadly lost many precious lives.
In the Christchurch earthquake a rescue team from Japan arrived in the dawn of 24 February, 2011. In total over 130 Japanese rescuers assisted Christchurch in three rotations. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto and Parliamentary Secretaries for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ikuo Yamahana and Mr. Hisashi Tokunaga visited Christchurch with the rescue team and acted as the directors of the rescue mission.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, New Zealand sent a rescue team of more than 50 specialists to participate in the rescue mission. It was the biggest ever NZ overseas rescue commitment and the team worked tirelessly at one of the most damaged sites, Minamisanriku, where half the town was missing. Japan has received a great deal of support from New Zealand, including messages of “Kia Kaha!” from New Zealanders.
Even amongst these unprecedented disasters, exchange between our two countries has been active. In the political realm, the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Murray McCully as well as other cabinet ministers visited Japan, and from Japan Vice President of the House of Councilors Mr. Hidehisa Otsuji, and Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi paid visits to New Zealand. Topics such as relations between our two countries and cooperation in the international arena were discussed.
In economic relations our countries enjoy a mutually complimentary relationship, and we both recognise each other as important trade partners. Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations which are currently underway and being led by New Zealand, Japan has announced that they will enter into consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned.
New Zealand is also very active in sister city exchange with its 42 Japanese sister cities, and in various cultural and educational exchanges on many different levels. One such example of cultural exchange is where every year around 100 young New Zealanders are sent to Japan to participate on the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme as assistant language teachers. These are all vitally important measures to deepen already friendly relations between our two nations.
Currently, challenges that our two countries should cooperate to face together include issues such as the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, and global warming.
The year 2012 is the 60th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Last year the bonds between our countries were strengthened through adversity by the disasters that we experienced. I hope to make 2012 a year where we can further our exchange in the political, economic, education, and cultural spheres, as well as sister city exchanges through holding various events in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch that look back at the history of exchange between our countries.
Your continued support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.