The Ambassador of Japan to Bosnia and Herzegovina Masami KINEFUCHI hosted a reception in Sarajevo on Monday evening on the occasion of the National Day of Japan, which is celebrated as the birthday of the Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
With a warm welcome to numerous reception guests, the diplomatic corps in BiH, political representatives of BiH, representatives of public and cultural institutions, the ambassador pointed out the good bilateral relations between BiH and Japan, and that cooperation is developing in several fields.
“It is a great honor for me and the government of Japan to celebrate this day with all of you,” Ambassador said.
His Excellency explained that the Japanese Emperor is the symbol of unity of the peoples and represents the best of the Japanese aspirations. Japanese people love and respects him, and he reminds us on our wish and responsibility to live honorably, this is why we celebrate tonight his birthday as the national day of Japan.
“Tonight we celebrate his 64thbirthday, and I belong to the same generation, and His Majesty Empress Masako was a diplomat and I had an honor that she was my colleague in Tokyo,” Ambassador explained.
He recalled that Japan and Bosnia and Herzegovina had established a diplomatic relations in 1996, and for the last 28 years, we have worked together with the international community to help the renewal and development, to achieve the political stability and economic development. Japan was the second largest donor whose aid amounted to 500 million Euros, and the focus of the activities has changed over time.
In more detail, the economic cooperation so far was focused on the projects in energy, traffic, education, health care and demining. During time, our focused shifted to the construction of capacity, such as donation of the vehicles to the Border Police of BiH, help for the advancement of the traffic system in Sarajevo, help to small and medium enterprises in both entities and for strengthen of capacity for the prevention of disaster. Apart from economic cooperation, Japan organized student exchange programe, learning of Japanese language, exhibition of traditional Japanese dolls, judo competition etc.
He added that Japan gives attention to basic projects of smaller scale, that help the peoples, and in the last year, we helped to sixteen projects, in Sarajevo, Mostar, Doboj, Kozarska Dubica, Maglaj, Stanari, Zavidovici, Novi Travnik, Pelagicevo, BIjeljina, Lukavac, Fojnica and Pale.
Ambassador highlighted that Japan supports BiH on its Euro-Atlantic path, adding that the country will do what is in its power to help.
“Last year, at this reception, we said “United we stand, divided we fall,” His Excellency highlighted, adding that he hopes that all people in the country, especially political leaders, will bring efforts for reconciliation and act for the bright future of this country and people.
