* Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Yasukuni Enoki’s Message (2004-2007)

Upon having taken charge as the Ambassador of Japan to India in February 2004, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my warm greetings to all visitors to the website of the Embassy of Japan in India.

This is my second posting to India, having earlier served as Counsellor in the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi during 1981-1983. In the intervening years, I have held several positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, besides diplomatic postings in Australia, the US, and the Mission to EU. My most recent posting was as Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Africa, concurrently to Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.Relations between Japan and India have been expanding steadily in recent years. Putting aside the momentary downturn in relations in the wake of India’s nuclear tests in May 1998, the visit of our then Prime Minister Mr. Yoshiro Mori to India in August 2000 followed by the reciprocal visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Japan in December 2001, helped to a great extent in warming up ties between the two countries. This, followed by the visit to India by the Japanese Foreign Minister Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi in January 2003, gave additional momentum to our growing engagement. Such high-level exchanges help in further strengthening the multi-dimensional relationship between our countries.

Besides recognizing India as an important strategic partner in the South Asian region, we also consider India to be Japan’s global partner in tackling various issues of international significance, such as the fight against terrorism, alleviation of poverty and illiteracy, and eradication of infectious diseases. In light of India’s “shining” economic performance, Japan looks with renewed interest at the prospect of having a productive economic partnership with India. I am optimistic that Japanese businesses will soon pick up these positive signals and enhance trade and investment relations with India. Positive signs are already beginning to surface as an increasing number of top executives of major Japanese firms are visiting India one after another. A measure of the importance Japan gives to India can also be gauged from the fact that India is expected to become the largest recipient of Japanese official Overseas Development Assistance in the next fiscal year.

The defense contacts between our two countries have also been increasing in recent years. The visit to India by Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, Cabinet Minister and Director General of Defense Agency of Japan, in May 2003 is an indicator of the growing strategic importance of India in Japan’s eyes. I am of the firm belief that there exists much scope for further expanding the level of interaction between the two sides in security-related matters. Even though there may be different views on certain issues, Japan and India can intensify their current tentative strategic dialogue to find common ground for greater cooperation with each other.

I am of the opinion that political ties, economic cooperation and cultural interchange are the three main pillars of the Japan-India relationship. While our political ties are running on a smooth course and our economic relations are set for further expansion, we need to focus more energy on developing the cultural aspect of our relations. Japan and India have held close cultural ties from ancient times since the advent of Buddhism into Japan. We have many cultural commonalities and similarities in our values and beliefs. However, in order to deepen our understanding about each other’s culture, we need to promote a higher level of contact. This cannot be done unless we have direct interaction, on a person-to-person basis, between the people of our countries. I wish to, therefore, encourage more cultural and artistic collaborations and links through exchange of artists and scholars at a direct, non-governmental level.

The two countries now look forward to some high-level political exchanges in the coming months that could unveil a new beginning in their bilateral relations. I hope for a further cementing of our ever-growing ties on all levels and am confident that the friendship between our two nations will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come. As the Ambassador of Japan to India, it would be my constant endeavour to carry our ties forward on the path of further growth and development in the coming years. Your understanding and support in this regard are highly appreciated.