天皇誕生日祝賀レセプションにおける熊澤大使挨拶
Proslov velvyslance Japonska v ČR Hiedaki Kumazawa
na recepci pořádané na počest narození japonského císaře

[6th Dec. 2005]

It gives me great pleasure to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

At this happy time of the celebration, it is my great pleasure to remind that our close relationship between the Czech Republic and Japan has strengthened in recent times.

For evidence of the closeness of our relationship we need to look no further than our political ties, for political exchanges at the highest level have proved a driving force in promoting and furthering our bilateral ties. In 2002, their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress engaged in a successful official visit to the Czech Republic and this was followed a year later by a visit to Prague by our Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi. In return, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek made a trip to Japan during which he has an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, engaged in talks with Prime Minister Koizumi, and visited the Aichi EXPO site.

Supporting our close political ties is our flourishing economic relationship. Thanks to a favourable environment for investment, the number of Japanese firms based here has tripled in the last five years. Some 160 Japanese firms now do business in the Czech Republic, and these companies are contributing greatly to the Czech economy by improving the balance of payments through exports, in creating employment opportunities for local workers, and by advancing technological exchange.

But it is not just in political and economic spheres in which our relationship is expanding, for also through cultural ties our countries grow ever closer. For example, in order to enhance greater mutual understanding, this year was designated the "2005 EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges". Under this banner more than 77 Japan-related events were organized here in the Czech Republic, each introducing different elements of both traditional and modern Japanese culture. Meanwhile in Japan, the Czech Pavilion at the Aichi EXPO proved very popular and helped Japanese people understand more about the Czech Republic.

During my time here in the Czech Republic I will endeavor to build on the foundations laid by our predecessors, I will strive to further the recent dynamic development in our political and economic ties, and above all I will make every effort to promote the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding that highlight our flourishing bilateral relationship.

Finally, I would like to wish His Majesty the Emperor of Japan a very Happy Birthday and to celebrate the cordial relationship between Japan and the Czech Republic.