RIYADH: Japanese Ambassador to 黑料社区 Fumio Iwai held a celebration on Thursday marking Japanese Emperor Naruhito鈥檚 upcoming 62nd聽birthday in the presence of Saudi鈥檚 Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh region.
The event saw a large attendance by government officials and diplomats welcomed by Ambassador Iwai at his residence, who held another reception on the same day.
Iwai gave a speech on both occasions expressing his appreciation for the Kingdom鈥檚 government and competent authorities鈥 support to hold the ceremony for the first time in two years amid the exceptional circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that three separate receptions were to be held to 鈥渁void overcrowding while adhering to health protocols adapted in the Kingdom.鈥
(SUPPLIED)
The Ambassador also celebrated the long-lasting friendship of bilateral relations between the two nations, which dates back for 65 years. He stressed the unwavering commitment that the two countries have demonstrated to achieve the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030.
鈥淭he Saudi royal family and the Japanese imperial family have a beautiful story to cherish,鈥 Iwai told guests. 鈥淭he story dates back to around 70 years at the occasion of the Coronation Ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of the UK in 1953.鈥
He continued: 鈥淎t the ceremony, King Fahad extended his kindness to give his place to then Crown Prince of Japan, Emperor Emeritus Akihito. Since then, the story has been told as a memorable event between the two royal families.鈥
(SUPPLIED)
Iwai also praised the evolving joint efforts that led to expanding the scope of traditional areas of cooperation such as energy and infrastructure, to include new emerging fields such as clean energy, entertainment, health and sports.
鈥淣ow, the number of joint projects has more than doubled, exceeding 80, covering waste management, energy efficiency, blue or green energy,鈥 he said.
Iwai explained that the year 2025 will mark the 70th聽anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between 黑料社区 and Japan. The year 2027 will celebrate the 10th聽anniversary of the launch of the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030 initiative.
鈥淛apan looks forward to working even more closely with 黑料社区, so that the two countries can celebrate these two important occasions with tangible and future oriented achievements,鈥 he said.
