Doha, Qatar: The Embassy of Japan in Qatar held a reception on Sunday celebrating Japan Day at Expo 2023 Doha in Al Bidda Park. The event witnessed the presence of high-ranking officials from Japan and Qatar.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H E Mitsuo Takahashi expressed gratitude for the international support, including Qatar’s, following the recent earthquake on January 1. He highlighted Japan’s resilience in the face of earthquakes and rain disasters, attributing recovery efforts to the strength of patience, mutual support, and public assistance.
H E Mitsuo Takahashi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (fifth right); H E Ambassador Bader Omar Al Dafa, Expo 2023 Doha Commissioner General (sixth right); Engr. Mohamed Ali Al Khouri (seventh right), Secretary General of the Expo 2023 Doha; H E Satoshi Maeda, Japan's Ambassador to Qatar (sixth left), along with other Japanese government officials during the Japan Day celebrations at Expo in Al Bidda Park. PIC: Joelyn Baluyut/The Peninsula
“However, Japan has overcome those disasters with the strength of strong patience, mutual support and public assistance, and we [at the] Japan’s government are making every effort to recover and reconstruct from the earthquake disaster and rebuild as quickly as possible,” he said in his speech.
Commending Expo 2023 Doha, Takahashi stressed the need for global collaboration in facing the impact of climate change. He saw the Expo as an opportunity to develop sustainable measures for a better future. “As accelerating climate change has a devastating impact on many parts of the world, we should consider developing the necessary measures to create a sustainable and better future, and work together to make it happen. I am confident that this Expo will provide such an opportunity.” Reflecting on Japan’s historical connection with nature, Takahashi announced Japan’s commitment to making the Expo a success. The country has been showcasing traditional techniques, including Ikebana, a brand-new flower arrangement every other week, and Karesansui, a Japanese garden style that uses stones and sand.
Japan Ambassador to Qatar, H E Satoshi Maeda, highlighted Japan’s early participation in promoting floral arrangements, cultural aspects, and greening technology at the Expo. Maeda expressed hope that the Expo 2023’s success would pave the way for the International Horticultural Exposition in Yokohama in 2027.
“I certainly hope that visitors to this Expo will get to learn about Japanese culture, technology, and the city of Yokohama, so that the success of the Expo 2023 Doha will be carried over to Yokohama “GREEN×EXPO2027.”
Moreover, he noted about the enhanced partnership of Qatar and Japan to strategic level especially with the visit of Japan Prime Minister, H E Fumio Kishida in July last year. “Last July, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida visited Qatar, and agreed to elevate the partnership between our two countries to a strategic level with H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, in the summit meeting. Japan and Qatar have started in recent years to work on expanding our bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various fields, adding to the many years of existing cooperation in the energy sector.”
Ambassador Maeda concluded: “The friendship between Japan and Qatar will be further deepened through today’s Japan Day Event, and wish the same for between Japan and people from all over the world visiting throughout Expo 2023 Doha.” Among the notable attendees were Expo 2023 Doha Commissioner General, H E Ambassador Bader Omar Al Dafa; and Expo 2023 Doha Secretary General, Engr. Mohamed Ali Al Khouri. The event brought together Japanese government officials, florists, landscapers, Japan pavilion staff, representatives from the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama, and various ambassadors and diplomats. The officials visited several pavilions including Japan, International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), and the Qatar pavilion.
