Greetings from Ambassador Yanagi
2020/1/6
Happy New Year. I hope all the best for everyone in the new year. This year, the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics 2020 is going to be held. Noshiro City of Akita Prefecture has been decided to be the Host Town of the Jordan athletes’ team. I would like to highly appreciate those who visited Jordan in January headed by Mayor Mr. SAITO Shigenobu, and people of Noshiro City, and wish the success of the Jordan team at TOKYO 2020.
Now I would like to wrap up what happened from last year’s Autumn till the end of the year 2019.
1．Enthronement Ceremony
The most significant event during this period was the enthronement ceremony of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito on October 22nd. From Jordan His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein attended, deputizing His Majesty King Abdullah II. During the visit to Tokyo, H.R.H had meetings with Prime Minister H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo and Minister of Defense H.E. Mr. KONO Taro. Prior to this, on September 23rd, Prime Minister ABE held a bilateral summit meeting with H.M. King Abdullah II over dinner on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
2．VIP Visits
In the second half of November, Speaker of the House of Respresentatives of Jordan H.E. Mr. Atef Tarawneh visited Japan, invited by President of the House of Representatives of Japan H.E. Mr. OSHIMA Tadamori. Mr. Tarawneh met Prime Minister Abe and the Speakers of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, and other figures. After that, he was blessed with good weather in Kyoto and enjoyed the red and yellow leaves in autumn. From Japan, Defense Minister KONO visited Jordan on December 15. He made a courtesy call on H.M. King Abdullah II and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti. It was the first visit of the Minister of Defense of Japan to Jordan, whereas it was the sixth visit of Minister KONO to Jordan as a Cabinet Minister, including the first visit on July 2016 as Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission, and the four visits as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Defense Minister KONO also visited the Tank Museum, where a retired Japanese Type-61 tank is exhibited. Prior to that, I visited the museum on November 13th and participated in the opening ceremony of the tank’s exhibition.
Furthermore, on December 22nd, State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. SUZUKI Keisuke visited Jordan, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Mr. Wissam Rabadi, and visited Wehdat UNRWA Refugee Camp (ANC) in Amman.
3．Conferment of Decoration on Former Deputy-Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Jafar Hassan
On November 3rd, Former Deputy-Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Jafal Hassan (Former Director of His Majesty’s Office, Royal Hashemite Court and Former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation) was conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”, commending his long-standing contribution to the relationship with Japan. H.E. visited Japan and was awarded by Prime Minister Abe on November 7, and had the opportunity to attend an audience with His Majesty the Emperor with the other recipients.
4．My Courtesy Visits to Jordanian Dignitaries
After the change of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in July, I paid a courtesy call to the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti (former Air Force Commander) on September 11, then to Commander of Royal Jordanian Airforce Brigadier General Zaid Negresh on September 26. Moreover, after the Cabinet reshuffle in early November, I made courtesy visits to Minister of State for Media Affairs H.E. Mr. Amjad Adaileh, on September 21, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Mr. Wissam Rabadi on 24, and Minister of State for Institutional Development H.E. Ms. Yasera Ghosheh on 25.
5．Development Cooperation
I attended the completion ceremony of a garment vocational training course, which was managed in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and a garment design vocational school in Mafraq on December 1, under the framework of a UNIDO project named “Support for Economic Resilience and Social Stabilization by Promoting Employment in Northern Jordan”, for which Japan provided US$200,000. I also attended a workshop on "Recruitment and Exploitation of Children by Terrorists and Violent Extremist Groups" held in cooperation with the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and PSD on September 9 in Amman(Japan provided UNODC with $ 900,000), and greeted on each of the events. The workshop of UNODC was held with regionally wide attendance not only from Jordan but also from Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine.
In terms of bilateral assitance, I attended the completion ceremony of “Balka Governorate Water Distribution and Rehabilitation Network Improvement Plan” on December 5, in the Diruala district of Barka district (central Jordan valley), a general grant project for FY2014 and FY2017 (approximately 3.6 billion yen in total) with Minister of Water and Irrigation H.E. Mr. Abu al-Saud, President of Dai Nippon Construction Mr. BABA Yoshio, and Representative of JICA Jordan Office Ms. MIYAHARA Chie etc., and I made a greeting speech. On that day, members of the parliament and farmers from the region thanked me again and again.
6．Cultural Exchanges
With regard to cultural exchanges, on October 5 we participated in the diplomatic bazaar run by Mabarat Um al-Hussein Foundation, under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Basma, which is held every year at Al Hussein Youth City. Our embassy sold Sushi Roll, Matcha(Green Tea) cake, and Green Tea. After the bazaar we donated the sales to the Foundation.
On October 26 and 27, from the Japan Foundation Cairo Office Mr. Iio, Japanese Language Education Advisor, visited Jordan to train teachers who teach Japanese at the University of Jordan and Hashemite University, where he made advise on Japanese language education. On this occasion, I hosted a session for those who are engaged in Japanese language education to gather and discuss.
On November 3rd and 4th, Ms. YAMAGUCHI Wakako visited Jordan from Japan with her husband Mr. YAMAGUCHI Shuji to support her, and demonstrated the traditional tea ceremony and calligraphy at the Hussein Cultural Center in Amman, wearing Kimono. About 80 people participated in the demonstration sessions during the two days. On December 2nd, a joint session of ikebana schools in Amman was held with the attendance of Ms. OYAMADA Hozuki, a lecturer from Ohara School of Research, who visited Jordan from Japan. About 100 people attended it, on top of them Minister of Tourism and Antiquities H.E. Mr. Majed Shweika and Mrs. Tarawneh, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I attended both of the events with my wife.
7．Safety
Although the security situation in Jordan has not visibly worsened, general crime seems to be increasing slightly due to the difficult economic situation. On November 6, an incident occurred in which foreign tourists were slashed inside the Roman archeological site in Jerash. Fortunately, the none of the victims was killed, but please always pay close attention to the surrounding circumstances as such incidents can occur even at sightseeing spots.
Also, in winter, rain and snow can cause unexpected disasters, so please be on alert against the weather forecast on a daily basis.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
Now I would like to wrap up what happened from last year’s Autumn till the end of the year 2019.
1．Enthronement Ceremony
The most significant event during this period was the enthronement ceremony of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito on October 22nd. From Jordan His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein attended, deputizing His Majesty King Abdullah II. During the visit to Tokyo, H.R.H had meetings with Prime Minister H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo and Minister of Defense H.E. Mr. KONO Taro. Prior to this, on September 23rd, Prime Minister ABE held a bilateral summit meeting with H.M. King Abdullah II over dinner on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
2．VIP Visits
In the second half of November, Speaker of the House of Respresentatives of Jordan H.E. Mr. Atef Tarawneh visited Japan, invited by President of the House of Representatives of Japan H.E. Mr. OSHIMA Tadamori. Mr. Tarawneh met Prime Minister Abe and the Speakers of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, and other figures. After that, he was blessed with good weather in Kyoto and enjoyed the red and yellow leaves in autumn. From Japan, Defense Minister KONO visited Jordan on December 15. He made a courtesy call on H.M. King Abdullah II and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti. It was the first visit of the Minister of Defense of Japan to Jordan, whereas it was the sixth visit of Minister KONO to Jordan as a Cabinet Minister, including the first visit on July 2016 as Chairperson of the National Public Safety Commission, and the four visits as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Defense Minister KONO also visited the Tank Museum, where a retired Japanese Type-61 tank is exhibited. Prior to that, I visited the museum on November 13th and participated in the opening ceremony of the tank’s exhibition.
Furthermore, on December 22nd, State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. SUZUKI Keisuke visited Jordan, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Ayman Safadi, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Mr. Wissam Rabadi, and visited Wehdat UNRWA Refugee Camp (ANC) in Amman.
3．Conferment of Decoration on Former Deputy-Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Jafar Hassan
On November 3rd, Former Deputy-Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Jafal Hassan (Former Director of His Majesty’s Office, Royal Hashemite Court and Former Minister of Planning and International Cooperation) was conferred “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star”, commending his long-standing contribution to the relationship with Japan. H.E. visited Japan and was awarded by Prime Minister Abe on November 7, and had the opportunity to attend an audience with His Majesty the Emperor with the other recipients.
4．My Courtesy Visits to Jordanian Dignitaries
After the change of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in July, I paid a courtesy call to the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Huneiti (former Air Force Commander) on September 11, then to Commander of Royal Jordanian Airforce Brigadier General Zaid Negresh on September 26. Moreover, after the Cabinet reshuffle in early November, I made courtesy visits to Minister of State for Media Affairs H.E. Mr. Amjad Adaileh, on September 21, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Mr. Wissam Rabadi on 24, and Minister of State for Institutional Development H.E. Ms. Yasera Ghosheh on 25.
5．Development Cooperation
I attended the completion ceremony of a garment vocational training course, which was managed in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and a garment design vocational school in Mafraq on December 1, under the framework of a UNIDO project named “Support for Economic Resilience and Social Stabilization by Promoting Employment in Northern Jordan”, for which Japan provided US$200,000. I also attended a workshop on "Recruitment and Exploitation of Children by Terrorists and Violent Extremist Groups" held in cooperation with the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and PSD on September 9 in Amman(Japan provided UNODC with $ 900,000), and greeted on each of the events. The workshop of UNODC was held with regionally wide attendance not only from Jordan but also from Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine.
In terms of bilateral assitance, I attended the completion ceremony of “Balka Governorate Water Distribution and Rehabilitation Network Improvement Plan” on December 5, in the Diruala district of Barka district (central Jordan valley), a general grant project for FY2014 and FY2017 (approximately 3.6 billion yen in total) with Minister of Water and Irrigation H.E. Mr. Abu al-Saud, President of Dai Nippon Construction Mr. BABA Yoshio, and Representative of JICA Jordan Office Ms. MIYAHARA Chie etc., and I made a greeting speech. On that day, members of the parliament and farmers from the region thanked me again and again.
6．Cultural Exchanges
With regard to cultural exchanges, on October 5 we participated in the diplomatic bazaar run by Mabarat Um al-Hussein Foundation, under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Basma, which is held every year at Al Hussein Youth City. Our embassy sold Sushi Roll, Matcha(Green Tea) cake, and Green Tea. After the bazaar we donated the sales to the Foundation.
On October 26 and 27, from the Japan Foundation Cairo Office Mr. Iio, Japanese Language Education Advisor, visited Jordan to train teachers who teach Japanese at the University of Jordan and Hashemite University, where he made advise on Japanese language education. On this occasion, I hosted a session for those who are engaged in Japanese language education to gather and discuss.
On November 3rd and 4th, Ms. YAMAGUCHI Wakako visited Jordan from Japan with her husband Mr. YAMAGUCHI Shuji to support her, and demonstrated the traditional tea ceremony and calligraphy at the Hussein Cultural Center in Amman, wearing Kimono. About 80 people participated in the demonstration sessions during the two days. On December 2nd, a joint session of ikebana schools in Amman was held with the attendance of Ms. OYAMADA Hozuki, a lecturer from Ohara School of Research, who visited Jordan from Japan. About 100 people attended it, on top of them Minister of Tourism and Antiquities H.E. Mr. Majed Shweika and Mrs. Tarawneh, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. I attended both of the events with my wife.
7．Safety
Although the security situation in Jordan has not visibly worsened, general crime seems to be increasing slightly due to the difficult economic situation. On November 6, an incident occurred in which foreign tourists were slashed inside the Roman archeological site in Jerash. Fortunately, the none of the victims was killed, but please always pay close attention to the surrounding circumstances as such incidents can occur even at sightseeing spots.
Also, in winter, rain and snow can cause unexpected disasters, so please be on alert against the weather forecast on a daily basis.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
