Celebrating 85th National Day of Japan

Iam Toshinori Kobayashi, the new Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman and it is my honour to address you on the occasion of the National Day of Japan. was born in Osaka, which will host the World Expo 2025. I arrived in Muscat last October and I continue to be impressed by Oman’s beauty, calmness, diverse nature, and the kindness and amiability of its people.

Our National Day celebrates the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The 23rd of December 2018 marks His Majesty Emperor Akihito’s 85th birthday, and as you may be aware, His Majesty Emperor Akihito will abdicate on April 30th next year after fulfilling his duties in the best manner over the past 30 years. His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito will accede to the throne on May 1. On this occasion, I wish His Majesty the Emperor continued health, happiness, and peace of mind.

As for the bilateral relations between Japan and Oman, we are now witnessing very robust ties between the two countries. They were enhanced by the high-level visits and exchanges, such as the visit of H.E. Taro Kono, minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to Oman last December and the visit of the Japanese government high-level mission headed by H.E. Kentaro Sonoura, special adviser to the prime minister of Japan, last September. As the new ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate of Oman, I am committed to spare no efforts to develop bilateral relations between our two friendly countries in all fields. I seize this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, and the government and citizens of the Sultanate of Oman, for their valuable support and efforts in deepening the strong friendship between Japan and the Sultanate of Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman is strategically important, ideally located on the Strait of Hormuz and with ports in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, the Sultanate’s foreign policy proactively contributes to the peace and the stability in the region. I am confident that Oman, with these unique characteristics, is capable of being an economic hub in the region and a peaceful oasis in the Middle East.

In closing, I would like to wish continued health and long-life for both H.M. Emperor Akihito and H.M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said and to wish further enhancement and development for the distinguished bilateral relations between Japan and the Sultanate of Oman in all fields.

I hope you enjoy the overview of the Embassy of Japan’s 2018 activities in this special supplement.