Greetings from Ambassador Yanagi
2020/6/8
Dear residents in Jordan and residents who left Jordan temporally to Japan,
It’s been about two months and half since Jordan has suspended all commercial flights and closed its borders as measures against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). I hope all of you are doing well. I’d like to report the Japanese-Jordanian activities from January to April.
1 Supports and Cultural Relationship
The biggest event during this period was the Boxing Tournament for Asian/Oceanian Qualification for Tokyo Olympic 2020. Originally, the tournament was scheduled to take place in Wuhan, China, but the venue was urgently relocated to Amman to be held on 3rd to 11th March, due to the spread of the COVID-19 in Wuhan. Although the timing of the tournament was at the last minute in light of the measures against the COVID-19 in Jordan, it was successfully convened here in Amman. For the eight divisions for men and five divisions for women, total six men and five women participated in the matches from Japan. Mr. OKAZAWA Sewonrets (Men's Welter, 63-69kg), Ms. NAMIKI Tsukimi (Women’s Fly, 48-51kg) and Ms. IRIE Sena (Women’s Feather, 54-57kg) won the Olympic berths. I watched the boxing matches for the first time, which were seven in total of those three Japanese berth winners. Especially, Ms. NAMIKI and Ms. IRIE proceeded to the final matches and regrettably, settled for silver medals, but their performances were promising for medals in Tokyo. Mr. OKAZAWA won really well the consolation match. Japan, as host countryseats, is given four seats for men and two seats for women. While Ms. NAMIKI and Ms. IRIE won their seats by themselves, additional three men were given the berths after the tournament. Tokyo Olympic 2020 was postponed for one year soon after the tournament in Amman, their berths will be valid for the Olympic 2021. By the way, five Jordanian men won their berths to Tokyo Olympic and Mr. Eashash Zeyad Eishaih Hussein won a gold medal and is expected to win a medal in Tokyo Olympic as well.
Mayor SAITO Shigenori, of Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture in Japan, which will serve as a host town for the Jordan Olympic/Paralympic team, has visited Jordan from 28th to 29th January. On this occasion, I invited Mr. Nasser Ayman Majali, the Secretary General of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and the presidents or secretary general of eight sports associations who have good chances to participate in the Tokyo Olympic in my residence. And also I accompanied with Mayor SAITO to his courtesy visit to H.R.H. Prince Faisal Bin Al-Hussein, the President of JOC, who has visited Japan many times as a member of Coordination Committee for Tokyo Olympic.
I also participated in a ceremony on 18th February on the occasion of handing over Tatami-mat sent from Japan Judo Federation to Jordan Judo Federation. Mr. Nasser Ayman Majali, the Secretary General of JOC, attended the ceremony and expressed his expectations for Jordan’s participation in the Tokyo Olympic. As a cultural event, my wife and I attended an exhibition of the SOGETSU-IKEBANA (Sogetsu school of flower arrangement) which was held on 1st March at the National Museum of Jordan with attendance of H.R.H. Princes Rajwa.
2 Bilateral telephone talks between Jordan and Japan
On 23rd April, H.M. King Abdullah II and Prime Minister ABE Shinzo held a telephone talk and Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu and H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi held a telephone talk as well. Based on their talks, Jordan has decided to provide 10,000 of protective gears, 10,000 of protective goggles by 16th May, as well as to deliver 300,000 of face masks by 6th June as assistance for Japan in response to the spread of COVID-19. The Prime Minister of Japan sent a thanking letter to H.M. to express Japan’s gratitude for Jordan’s kind assistances and expressed keenness to enhance further cooperation between the two countries based on the strategic partnership.
3 Meeting with VIP
During this period, I made series of courtesy visits to H.E. Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, the Minister of Environment on 19th February, H.E. Dr. Mothanna Gharaybeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and H.E. Dr. Wissem al-Rabadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation on 20th February, H.E. Dr. Basma Ishaqat, Minister of Social Development on 24th February, and also paid courtesy calls on H.E. Dr. Abdullah Ensour, Former Prime Minister and current Senator and H.E. Dr. Marwan al-Muasher, Former Deputy Prime Minister and current Senator on 27th January, H.E. Dr. Hani Mulki, Former Prime Minister and current Senator on 24th February, H.E. Dr. Jawad Anani, Former Deputy Prime Minister on 11th March, and then I visited H.E. Mr. Mazen el-Qadi and H.E. Mr. Khair Abu-Saaliq of the House of Representatives who visited Japan in November last year, accompanying with H.E. Eng. Atef al-Tarawneh, the president of the House of Representatives. On 27th February, I celebrated at the residence the decoration of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for H.E. Jafar Hassan, Former Deputy Prime Minister in November last year.
4 Development Assistance
During this period, I signed the following three grant contracts of Grass-Roots Human Security Projects; Provision of Medical Equipment for New Charitable Medical Center in Nazzal Area, East Amman (on January 20), Provision of Medical Equipment to Al-Maqased Charity Hospital (on February 17), and Provision of Kitchen Equipment for “Madaba Production Kitchen” to Greater Madaba Municipality (on March 5). On March 2, I also signed a grant contract of NGOs Partnership Project with Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCOD) for Supporting Implementation of Correctional Services Focused on Psychological Care at the Rehabilitation Centre in Russeifa. In addition, we held the handover ceremony of medical equipment under the Grass-Roots Human Security Project titled Provision of Medical Equipment to Medical Center in Jerash Palestinian Refugee Camp on January 27, attended by Mr. ARAIKE, deputy chief of mission.
With respect to our relationship with international organizations in Jordan, on 26 February, I attended at the “Award Ceremony Celebrating Start-ups Devoted to Innovation and Social Impact” organized by UNDP under the Japan-funded project in 2019. UNDP implemented this project in cooperation with Greater Amman Municipality with particular focus on revitalizing Downtown Amman through job creation and development in the urban areas. On 9 March, I also participated in a closing and launching ceremony for two consecutive Japan-funded projects implemented by IOM since 2018, both of which aims at enhancing border management capacities of Jordanian authorities. I also met with UNHCR and WFP representatives on 19 February and on 12 March respectively to exchange views on newly launched projects in Jordan with Japanese funding.
5 The Emperor’s Birthday Reception
On 23rd February, the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor, the first reception of the Emperor’s birthday after the beginning of Reiwa era was held at a hotel in Amman with the attendance of about 450 guests. On the day, H.E. Eng. Abu al-Saud, Minister of Water and Irrigation made a speech as a guest of honor, and honored to have attendance of H.E. Dr. al-Rabadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and other senior governmental officials.
6 Japanese Residents in Jordan / New Year’s reception for Japanese
On 22nd January, we held the annual event of New Year’s reception at my residence. About 80 Japanese residents in Jordan participated and senior staffs of the Japanese Embassy and JICA office in Iraq participated, who had evacuated temporality due to the tense situations in Bagdad.
7 Safety
There were concerns that the tension between U.S. and Iran as well as deterioration of security situation in Iraq would affect Jordan, but fortunately no specific case have occurred. The general security situation is not particularly deteriorated in Jordan because of mobilization of not only police but also the military forces in the cities for implementing various enforcement measures for countering the novel coronavirus. Even so, I’d like to ask all of you to keep paying attention to your safety.
Thank you
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
It’s been about two months and half since Jordan has suspended all commercial flights and closed its borders as measures against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). I hope all of you are doing well. I’d like to report the Japanese-Jordanian activities from January to April.
1 Supports and Cultural Relationship
The biggest event during this period was the Boxing Tournament for Asian/Oceanian Qualification for Tokyo Olympic 2020. Originally, the tournament was scheduled to take place in Wuhan, China, but the venue was urgently relocated to Amman to be held on 3rd to 11th March, due to the spread of the COVID-19 in Wuhan. Although the timing of the tournament was at the last minute in light of the measures against the COVID-19 in Jordan, it was successfully convened here in Amman. For the eight divisions for men and five divisions for women, total six men and five women participated in the matches from Japan. Mr. OKAZAWA Sewonrets (Men's Welter, 63-69kg), Ms. NAMIKI Tsukimi (Women’s Fly, 48-51kg) and Ms. IRIE Sena (Women’s Feather, 54-57kg) won the Olympic berths. I watched the boxing matches for the first time, which were seven in total of those three Japanese berth winners. Especially, Ms. NAMIKI and Ms. IRIE proceeded to the final matches and regrettably, settled for silver medals, but their performances were promising for medals in Tokyo. Mr. OKAZAWA won really well the consolation match. Japan, as host countryseats, is given four seats for men and two seats for women. While Ms. NAMIKI and Ms. IRIE won their seats by themselves, additional three men were given the berths after the tournament. Tokyo Olympic 2020 was postponed for one year soon after the tournament in Amman, their berths will be valid for the Olympic 2021. By the way, five Jordanian men won their berths to Tokyo Olympic and Mr. Eashash Zeyad Eishaih Hussein won a gold medal and is expected to win a medal in Tokyo Olympic as well.
Mayor SAITO Shigenori, of Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture in Japan, which will serve as a host town for the Jordan Olympic/Paralympic team, has visited Jordan from 28th to 29th January. On this occasion, I invited Mr. Nasser Ayman Majali, the Secretary General of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and the presidents or secretary general of eight sports associations who have good chances to participate in the Tokyo Olympic in my residence. And also I accompanied with Mayor SAITO to his courtesy visit to H.R.H. Prince Faisal Bin Al-Hussein, the President of JOC, who has visited Japan many times as a member of Coordination Committee for Tokyo Olympic.
I also participated in a ceremony on 18th February on the occasion of handing over Tatami-mat sent from Japan Judo Federation to Jordan Judo Federation. Mr. Nasser Ayman Majali, the Secretary General of JOC, attended the ceremony and expressed his expectations for Jordan’s participation in the Tokyo Olympic. As a cultural event, my wife and I attended an exhibition of the SOGETSU-IKEBANA (Sogetsu school of flower arrangement) which was held on 1st March at the National Museum of Jordan with attendance of H.R.H. Princes Rajwa.
2 Bilateral telephone talks between Jordan and Japan
On 23rd April, H.M. King Abdullah II and Prime Minister ABE Shinzo held a telephone talk and Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu and H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi held a telephone talk as well. Based on their talks, Jordan has decided to provide 10,000 of protective gears, 10,000 of protective goggles by 16th May, as well as to deliver 300,000 of face masks by 6th June as assistance for Japan in response to the spread of COVID-19. The Prime Minister of Japan sent a thanking letter to H.M. to express Japan’s gratitude for Jordan’s kind assistances and expressed keenness to enhance further cooperation between the two countries based on the strategic partnership.
3 Meeting with VIP
During this period, I made series of courtesy visits to H.E. Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, the Minister of Environment on 19th February, H.E. Dr. Mothanna Gharaybeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and H.E. Dr. Wissem al-Rabadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation on 20th February, H.E. Dr. Basma Ishaqat, Minister of Social Development on 24th February, and also paid courtesy calls on H.E. Dr. Abdullah Ensour, Former Prime Minister and current Senator and H.E. Dr. Marwan al-Muasher, Former Deputy Prime Minister and current Senator on 27th January, H.E. Dr. Hani Mulki, Former Prime Minister and current Senator on 24th February, H.E. Dr. Jawad Anani, Former Deputy Prime Minister on 11th March, and then I visited H.E. Mr. Mazen el-Qadi and H.E. Mr. Khair Abu-Saaliq of the House of Representatives who visited Japan in November last year, accompanying with H.E. Eng. Atef al-Tarawneh, the president of the House of Representatives. On 27th February, I celebrated at the residence the decoration of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for H.E. Jafar Hassan, Former Deputy Prime Minister in November last year.
4 Development Assistance
During this period, I signed the following three grant contracts of Grass-Roots Human Security Projects; Provision of Medical Equipment for New Charitable Medical Center in Nazzal Area, East Amman (on January 20), Provision of Medical Equipment to Al-Maqased Charity Hospital (on February 17), and Provision of Kitchen Equipment for “Madaba Production Kitchen” to Greater Madaba Municipality (on March 5). On March 2, I also signed a grant contract of NGOs Partnership Project with Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCOD) for Supporting Implementation of Correctional Services Focused on Psychological Care at the Rehabilitation Centre in Russeifa. In addition, we held the handover ceremony of medical equipment under the Grass-Roots Human Security Project titled Provision of Medical Equipment to Medical Center in Jerash Palestinian Refugee Camp on January 27, attended by Mr. ARAIKE, deputy chief of mission.
With respect to our relationship with international organizations in Jordan, on 26 February, I attended at the “Award Ceremony Celebrating Start-ups Devoted to Innovation and Social Impact” organized by UNDP under the Japan-funded project in 2019. UNDP implemented this project in cooperation with Greater Amman Municipality with particular focus on revitalizing Downtown Amman through job creation and development in the urban areas. On 9 March, I also participated in a closing and launching ceremony for two consecutive Japan-funded projects implemented by IOM since 2018, both of which aims at enhancing border management capacities of Jordanian authorities. I also met with UNHCR and WFP representatives on 19 February and on 12 March respectively to exchange views on newly launched projects in Jordan with Japanese funding.
5 The Emperor’s Birthday Reception
On 23rd February, the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor, the first reception of the Emperor’s birthday after the beginning of Reiwa era was held at a hotel in Amman with the attendance of about 450 guests. On the day, H.E. Eng. Abu al-Saud, Minister of Water and Irrigation made a speech as a guest of honor, and honored to have attendance of H.E. Dr. al-Rabadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation and other senior governmental officials.
6 Japanese Residents in Jordan / New Year’s reception for Japanese
On 22nd January, we held the annual event of New Year’s reception at my residence. About 80 Japanese residents in Jordan participated and senior staffs of the Japanese Embassy and JICA office in Iraq participated, who had evacuated temporality due to the tense situations in Bagdad.
7 Safety
There were concerns that the tension between U.S. and Iran as well as deterioration of security situation in Iraq would affect Jordan, but fortunately no specific case have occurred. The general security situation is not particularly deteriorated in Jordan because of mobilization of not only police but also the military forces in the cities for implementing various enforcement measures for countering the novel coronavirus. Even so, I’d like to ask all of you to keep paying attention to your safety.
Thank you
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
Grant Contract of Kitchen Equipment for “Madaba Production Kitchen”
Ambulance Provided by Japanese Grant in 2015
With H.E. Mr. SAITO, Mayor of Noshiro-city and Jordanian figures related Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics at the Reception
Courtesy Visit to H.E. Senator Muasher