Remarks in February 2008
Remarks of Mr. Shigenobu KATO, the Japanese ambassador to Jordan, at the opening of the Second Japan Week at the University of Jordan on 27 February 2008
Professor Eid Dirani, Vice President of the University of Jordan deputizing for H.E. Professor Khalid Al-Karaki, President of the University of Jordan,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon
On behalf of the Government of Japan, it is a great honor for me to welcome you all here today at “Japan Week” at the University of Jordan.
First I would like to express my sincere gratitude to H.E. Professor Khalid Al-Karaki for his particular support to education of languages and cultures, with which we can understand each other as well as reassure values of our own culture.
I would also like to appreciate the devotion of professors, Japanese teachers and students to realize this wonderful Japan Week’s programs, which would definitely further consolidate the friendly ties between Japan and Jordan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Paying my respects to H.E. Professor Khalid Al-Karaki, professor in Arabic literature, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about a Japanese literary work which marks millenary, one thousand-year anniversary of its first appearance in history this year.
“Tale of Genji” it is. A noble woman at the Imperial court wrote this classic work, which recounts the life of an emperor’s son through its 54 chapters. Many readers, not only in Japan but also overseas countries, still enjoy it till date, so that’s why it is called the world’s first novel to still be considered as a classic.
Taking this occasion, I am delighted to introduce that Professor Ahmad Majdoubeh has taken up this Japanese literary work at his course of the world literature. My special thanks are due to him for his academic work in addition to his continuous support to strengthening the relationships between the University of Jordan and Japan.
Adapting from the original story of the “Tale of Genji” to modern novels, theater arts, movies, cartoons, and animation films has contributed to rediscovering of the classic work, in addition to its literary value that hasn’t faded after a millennium.
Thinking of the power of such a literary work which has extended over years as well as geographical borders, I admire the great diversity of letters and language. Having felt admiration since my arrival in Jordan two years ago, for people in this country are all gifted particularly in study of languages, I can not help having great expectations for the future of Jordanian students.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Abundant in potentials, students who study foreign languages, international students who study Arabic here, and those who came here today to know about Japan, just need intellectual curiosity to find the frontiers, which will open up new future possibilities for them and enable them to understand much deeply different ways of thinking. I do hope that an event for the mutual understanding such as this kind will take place every year so as to provide us with an opportunity for learning experiences from each other.
To conclude my remarks, I would like to express my heartfelt wish that the programs of the Japan Week be fruitful ones and enjoyable.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
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