on the occasion of Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the Emperor’s Birthday in the 3rd Year of Reiwa era (2021), I have the honour to extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty, and would like to express my greetings to everyone.
In the year 2020, the unprecedented crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a tremendous impact all over the world, including Japan and Bhutan.
On January 1st this year, His Majesty the Emperor stated in a video message that we faced various difficulties and challenges in the previous year due to the spread of the coronavirus on such an unprecedented scale that most of us living in this era have never experienced before, and that many people lost their lives around the world and in Japan. His Majesty expressed his deep respect and gratitude to doctors, nurses, and those who are engaged in medical services, for devoting themselves day and night to save the lives of many patients. His Majesty also stated that, although humankind has been repeatedly hit by horrific plagues and major natural disasters in the past, we have overcome these challenges each time with unity and tenacity.
In Bhutan, a difficult fight against COVID-19 is still ongoing. I would like to express my deepest respect for the dedication and hard work of everyone, especially the health care workers, who are engaged in this fight to save lives from COVID-19 in Bhutan.
Looking back the Japan-Bhutan relations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I must say that our diplomatic relations did suffer from various constrains. For example, it was truly disappointing that I was unable to make a visit to Bhutan in 2020. However, despite the challenges, our cooperation remained on track, and we signed for new Economic and Social Development Programme for providing medical equipment such as ambulances to Bhutan. In addition, the Project for Reconstruction of Bridges on Primary National Highway No. 4 was completed, successfully reconstructing four bridges along the national highway.
While the COVID-19 situation remains challenging, we will continue working to improve the livelihoods of the Bhutanese people, and to further strengthen the bonds between our two countries.
Japan and Bhutan established their diplomatic relations 35 years ago in 1986. The next year, in 1987, His Majesty the Emperor (then H.I.H. Prince Hironomiya) visited Bhutan for the first time as a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. His Majesty stayed in Thimphu and Paro, appreciated the beauty of paintings and bamboo crafts, and enjoyed the taste of local brew in a rural farmer’s house. I learned that, His Majesty, looking back upon his visit to Bhutan, stated that he was inspired many times and felt as if he was in a dream world beyond time, and that it was a very meaningful experience to interact with members of the Bhutanese Royal Family, who were of the same generation, including His Majesty the King. Since then, Japan and Bhutan have deepened our mutual understanding and friendship, supported by a series of exchanges between the Japanese Imperial Family and the Bhutanese Royal Family. Today, the people of our two countries are tied together with a strong bond of their hearts.
Although the COVID-19 situation still requires us to be cautious, I am determined to work with utmost efforts to make the bond between our two countries stronger, and to further promote the friendship of our countries.
In his message, His Majesty the Emperor shared his belief that the day when people could live with a firm hope for the future would surely come soon, and stated that His Majesty’s sincere hopes that people would make stride forward by helping and supporting each other with compassion. With these thoughts in mind, I would like to forge ahead towards the further development of the Japan-Bhutan relations, along with the Japanese residents and all our friends in Bhutan.
23rd February 2021
SUZUKI Satoshi
Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bhutan
◯ Photos of His Majesty’s visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan in 1987
(Provided by THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN）
◯ Recent Portraits of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Family on the occasion of the New Year
https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/01/gokanso/r03-0101-mov.html
(Source：Recent Portraits of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Family on the occasion of New Year (2021) (video) at the Imperial Household Agency website)
Ambassador's Message (01/2021)
Ambassador's Message (11/2019)