Greetings from Ambassador Yanagi
2018/12/27
In Amman, every day’s lowest temperature becomes under 10 degrees, and now it is completely the winter season. Japanese residents in Jordan, and everyone who is interested in Jordan, how are you doing? From the last greeting, nearly 5 months have passed. I would like to briefly tell you about the events in the meantime. I think that the visit of Their Majesties King and Queen to Japan was the biggest event in the context of the Japan-Jordan relations, whereas Japanese Team’s winning of the second place in the Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship attracted huge interest of Japanese residents in Amman.
1. King Abdullah's visit to Japan
From 25th to 27th November His Majesty King Abdullah II visited Japan for the first time in two years with Her Majesty Queen Rania. They were invited to the luncheon by Their Imperial Majesties Emperor and Empress, and met with Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Princess. He also held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Abe, exchanging views on bilateral relations and regional issues. On this occasion, the two sides signed the Exchange of Notes of Development Policy Loan of 300 million US dollars and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
2. VIP visits
(1) ODA Research Mission of the House of Councillors
In September, the ODA Research Mission of the House of Councillors (H.E. Mr. Yusuke Nakanishi and H.E. Mr. Taichiro Motoe) paid a courtesy call on Minister of Water and Irrigation and visited the Zaatari Syrian refugee camp. They also had a meeting with representatives of JOCV(Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer)s and Japanese staffs of International Agencies. After visiting various cooperation projects, they moved to Palestine across King-Hussein Bridge, which was constructed with Japanese grant assistance.
(2) Visit by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
H.E. Dr. Mary Kawar, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, visited Japan for the first time in early November, in order to prepare for the King's visit to Japan in the field of development cooperation, and met with H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
3. Cabinet Reshuffle and the Dead Sea Incident
H.E. Mr. Omar Razzaz, Prime Minister, announced on October 11 the cabinet reshuffle of 10 ministers including Minister of Environment and Minister of Health, whereas 3 ministers will supervise 6 ministries (Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Youth). He also appointed seven new ministers.
However, immediately after that, on October 25, a tragic incident occurred in which 21 students traveling in the Dead Sea area died because of flash flood. While examining the responsibility for this incident, Minister of Education and Higher Education and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities had to resigne. Thereafter, the two posts are concurrently held by Minister of Justice and Minister of Institutional and Administrative Development.
4. My Courtesy Visits to Jordanian VIPs
During this period, the highlight of my visit to the Jordanian VIPs was the courtesy call on Prime Minister Mr. Razzaz on September 26. Prime Minister Mr. Razzaz expressed appreciation on the relationship with Japan and gratitude for Japan's support. Other than Prime Minister, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Ms. Ghunaimat, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson on July 24, H.E. Eng. Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs on September 25, H.E. Dr. Ezzedine Kanakrieh, Minister of Finance on November 1, H.E. Eng. Raed Abu Al Saud, Minister of Water and Irrigation on November 1, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman, Minister of Youth and Culture on November 5. As for the ministers who have quitted, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Ms. Hala Latouf, Minister of Social Development on July 29, H.E. Dr. Mamoud Al-Sheyab, Minister of Health on July 31, and H.E. Mrs. Lina Annab, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities on September 6.
Other than ministers of the government, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Hussein Al Qaisi, Chairperson of the Jordan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association of the House of Representatives on September 6, and H.E. Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality. Mayor Al Shawarbeh told his expectation for strengthening relations with Japan.
5. Economic Cooperation
(1) UNICEF's New Project Ceremony
On July 30, I visited Azraq Camp for the opening ceremony of “Lifesaving Health and Nutrition Services for Syrian Children and Women” Project, conducted by UNICEF in Syrian refugee camps, with emergency grant aid of Japan. When I visited the pediatrics department, medical staffs told me that the infant mortality late within one year after birth has been drastically decreasing, due to Japan's support.
(2) UNWOMEN Project Visit
In order to inspect "Leadership, Empowerment, Ensuring and Protecting Access for Syrian refugees" Project, which Japan supported with the supplementary budget for FY2017, I visited the Women Support Center in Ajloun governorate. Prior to this visit, I paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Ajloun, then the governor also participated in the visit.
(3) Signing Contract for Extending Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project
In the framework of Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP), I signed the contract of extending a grant for the “Project for Renewal of Ultrasound Equipment for Health Clinics for mothers and babies”, on September 18, and signed the contract of extending a grant for “Project for Provision of Medical Equipment to Medical Center in Jerash Palestinian Refugee Camp” on 19. The former contributes to the improvement of the quality of medical services to pregnant women by providing ultrasound examination equipment to an NGO "Jordan Family Planning and Protection", which has provided medical support at 20 maternal and child health centers throughout Jordan. The latter mainly aims at improving the quality of medical services for the vulnerable people by deploying medical equipment to an NGO named "Jordan Medical Aid for Palestinians", which has provided medical support at Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan since 1990.
(4) Ceremony of Equipment Provision for Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects
On September 27, I attended the equipment extending ceremony of the Project for “the Improvement of Food Cold Storage Facility in Amman". Through this project, Japan provided refrigerated cars and cold storage facilities to an NGO "Jordan Food Bank", which carries out activities to provide foods donated from supermarkets, hotels and companies to the poor Jordanians and Syrian refugee families for free of charge.
(5) UNRWA School Year Opening Ceremony
On September 2, I attended the school year opening ceremony of an elementary school operated by UNRWA in Amman city with H.E. Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, UNRWA Commissioner-General, and diplomatic corps in Jordan. I met cheerful students in the school, which has started a new semester in a difficult financial situation. UNRWA has suffered from severe fiscal difficulties due to the United States' drastic reduction of contributions. Jordan, Japan, Turkey, EU, Sweden, and Germany co-chaired the Ministerial Meeting for the support of UNRWA on the sideline of the UN General Assembly on September 27. Japan made a contribution to UNRWA by 45 million dollars in total this year.
6. Relationship with Japanese society
(1) Sports Festival
On September 28, the annual sports festival was held by the Japanese society. Blessed with good weather, more than 100 Japanese resident, including children who attended the Japanese supplementary school and children at pre-school ages, participated and enjoyed playing sports.
(2) Evacuation from Petra ruins
On November 9, a flash flood occurred in the Petra ruins, causing a flow of muddy streams in the Siq. About 50 Japanese tourists, who were visiting Petra on the very day were forced to evacuate. In Japan, media widely reported this incident, so that some Japanese correspondent came from a neighboring country to film the site. Fortunately, there were no victims in the Petra district, including Japanese, but in the suburbs of Madaba, Ma’an and other places flooding caused death of people. I would like to express condolences for the victims.
7. Winning Second Place in the Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship
The Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship was held in Amman from September 16 to 26, where the Japanese U-19 team advanced to the final game. Regrettably the Japanese team lost to Qatar, but it won the second place, and qualifies for the World Cup in Macedonia next year. For the games of the Japanese team, Japanese residents gathered to cheer up for every game, and I also watched five out of the eight games.
8. Safety
On August 10, a bombing terror incident occurred, which aimed at security vehicles in Fuheis, Balqa Governorate. On 11, the next day, security officials raided the suspects in the Salt City of Balqa Governorate. It caused gun fighting warfare and buildings were also bombed, which led to death of six security officials and three suspects in two days. Thereafter, no terrorist incidents have occurred, but it was the first time since two years that a terrorist incident happened in Jordan. This reminded us once again that the danger of terrorism still exists.
I would like to ask Japanese residents to acquire the latest information by news reports and SNS, at the same time, to pay careful attention to your own safety, such as not getting close to places where many people gather. As the severe economic situation continues, general security is also worried to get worse, so please be aware of this as well.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
1. King Abdullah's visit to Japan
From 25th to 27th November His Majesty King Abdullah II visited Japan for the first time in two years with Her Majesty Queen Rania. They were invited to the luncheon by Their Imperial Majesties Emperor and Empress, and met with Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Princess. He also held a summit meeting with Prime Minister Abe, exchanging views on bilateral relations and regional issues. On this occasion, the two sides signed the Exchange of Notes of Development Policy Loan of 300 million US dollars and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
2. VIP visits
(1) ODA Research Mission of the House of Councillors
In September, the ODA Research Mission of the House of Councillors (H.E. Mr. Yusuke Nakanishi and H.E. Mr. Taichiro Motoe) paid a courtesy call on Minister of Water and Irrigation and visited the Zaatari Syrian refugee camp. They also had a meeting with representatives of JOCV(Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteer)s and Japanese staffs of International Agencies. After visiting various cooperation projects, they moved to Palestine across King-Hussein Bridge, which was constructed with Japanese grant assistance.
(2) Visit by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
H.E. Dr. Mary Kawar, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, visited Japan for the first time in early November, in order to prepare for the King's visit to Japan in the field of development cooperation, and met with H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and H.E. Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
3. Cabinet Reshuffle and the Dead Sea Incident
H.E. Mr. Omar Razzaz, Prime Minister, announced on October 11 the cabinet reshuffle of 10 ministers including Minister of Environment and Minister of Health, whereas 3 ministers will supervise 6 ministries (Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Youth). He also appointed seven new ministers.
However, immediately after that, on October 25, a tragic incident occurred in which 21 students traveling in the Dead Sea area died because of flash flood. While examining the responsibility for this incident, Minister of Education and Higher Education and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities had to resigne. Thereafter, the two posts are concurrently held by Minister of Justice and Minister of Institutional and Administrative Development.
4. My Courtesy Visits to Jordanian VIPs
During this period, the highlight of my visit to the Jordanian VIPs was the courtesy call on Prime Minister Mr. Razzaz on September 26. Prime Minister Mr. Razzaz expressed appreciation on the relationship with Japan and gratitude for Japan's support. Other than Prime Minister, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Ms. Ghunaimat, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Government Spokesperson on July 24, H.E. Eng. Musa Maaytah, Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs on September 25, H.E. Dr. Ezzedine Kanakrieh, Minister of Finance on November 1, H.E. Eng. Raed Abu Al Saud, Minister of Water and Irrigation on November 1, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman, Minister of Youth and Culture on November 5. As for the ministers who have quitted, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Ms. Hala Latouf, Minister of Social Development on July 29, H.E. Dr. Mamoud Al-Sheyab, Minister of Health on July 31, and H.E. Mrs. Lina Annab, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities on September 6.
Other than ministers of the government, I made courtesy calls on H.E. Mr. Hussein Al Qaisi, Chairperson of the Jordan-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Association of the House of Representatives on September 6, and H.E. Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality. Mayor Al Shawarbeh told his expectation for strengthening relations with Japan.
5. Economic Cooperation
(1) UNICEF's New Project Ceremony
On July 30, I visited Azraq Camp for the opening ceremony of “Lifesaving Health and Nutrition Services for Syrian Children and Women” Project, conducted by UNICEF in Syrian refugee camps, with emergency grant aid of Japan. When I visited the pediatrics department, medical staffs told me that the infant mortality late within one year after birth has been drastically decreasing, due to Japan's support.
(2) UNWOMEN Project Visit
In order to inspect "Leadership, Empowerment, Ensuring and Protecting Access for Syrian refugees" Project, which Japan supported with the supplementary budget for FY2017, I visited the Women Support Center in Ajloun governorate. Prior to this visit, I paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Ajloun, then the governor also participated in the visit.
(3) Signing Contract for Extending Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project
In the framework of Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project (GGP), I signed the contract of extending a grant for the “Project for Renewal of Ultrasound Equipment for Health Clinics for mothers and babies”, on September 18, and signed the contract of extending a grant for “Project for Provision of Medical Equipment to Medical Center in Jerash Palestinian Refugee Camp” on 19. The former contributes to the improvement of the quality of medical services to pregnant women by providing ultrasound examination equipment to an NGO "Jordan Family Planning and Protection", which has provided medical support at 20 maternal and child health centers throughout Jordan. The latter mainly aims at improving the quality of medical services for the vulnerable people by deploying medical equipment to an NGO named "Jordan Medical Aid for Palestinians", which has provided medical support at Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan since 1990.
(4) Ceremony of Equipment Provision for Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects
On September 27, I attended the equipment extending ceremony of the Project for “the Improvement of Food Cold Storage Facility in Amman". Through this project, Japan provided refrigerated cars and cold storage facilities to an NGO "Jordan Food Bank", which carries out activities to provide foods donated from supermarkets, hotels and companies to the poor Jordanians and Syrian refugee families for free of charge.
(5) UNRWA School Year Opening Ceremony
On September 2, I attended the school year opening ceremony of an elementary school operated by UNRWA in Amman city with H.E. Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, UNRWA Commissioner-General, and diplomatic corps in Jordan. I met cheerful students in the school, which has started a new semester in a difficult financial situation. UNRWA has suffered from severe fiscal difficulties due to the United States' drastic reduction of contributions. Jordan, Japan, Turkey, EU, Sweden, and Germany co-chaired the Ministerial Meeting for the support of UNRWA on the sideline of the UN General Assembly on September 27. Japan made a contribution to UNRWA by 45 million dollars in total this year.
6. Relationship with Japanese society
(1) Sports Festival
On September 28, the annual sports festival was held by the Japanese society. Blessed with good weather, more than 100 Japanese resident, including children who attended the Japanese supplementary school and children at pre-school ages, participated and enjoyed playing sports.
(2) Evacuation from Petra ruins
On November 9, a flash flood occurred in the Petra ruins, causing a flow of muddy streams in the Siq. About 50 Japanese tourists, who were visiting Petra on the very day were forced to evacuate. In Japan, media widely reported this incident, so that some Japanese correspondent came from a neighboring country to film the site. Fortunately, there were no victims in the Petra district, including Japanese, but in the suburbs of Madaba, Ma’an and other places flooding caused death of people. I would like to express condolences for the victims.
7. Winning Second Place in the Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship
The Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship was held in Amman from September 16 to 26, where the Japanese U-19 team advanced to the final game. Regrettably the Japanese team lost to Qatar, but it won the second place, and qualifies for the World Cup in Macedonia next year. For the games of the Japanese team, Japanese residents gathered to cheer up for every game, and I also watched five out of the eight games.
8. Safety
On August 10, a bombing terror incident occurred, which aimed at security vehicles in Fuheis, Balqa Governorate. On 11, the next day, security officials raided the suspects in the Salt City of Balqa Governorate. It caused gun fighting warfare and buildings were also bombed, which led to death of six security officials and three suspects in two days. Thereafter, no terrorist incidents have occurred, but it was the first time since two years that a terrorist incident happened in Jordan. This reminded us once again that the danger of terrorism still exists.
I would like to ask Japanese residents to acquire the latest information by news reports and SNS, at the same time, to pay careful attention to your own safety, such as not getting close to places where many people gather. As the severe economic situation continues, general security is also worried to get worse, so please be aware of this as well.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>