Greetings from Ambassador Yanagi
2020/10/19
As I was officially assigned to Germany on 15 September, I will leave Jordan in the middle of October. I have been working in Jordan for two and ten months, during which I have been supported by your kindness and cooperation. I would like to appreciate all your support. My successor Mr. SHIMAZAKI, who has been Ambassador of Japan to Czech Republic, will arrive at Jordan in November.
I am writing this time on the restriction to prevent the pandemic in Jordan and my activities as Ambassador since the latest message was published in May. In the context of Japan-Jordan bilateral relations, there was a summit telephone conversation between His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan at the time who had just announced his resignation, in which His Majesty expressed his appreciation for Mr. Abe’s contribution.
1. Novel Coronavirus
(1) Gradual ease of restrictions by Government of Jordan
Government of Jordan had announced again a comprehensive curfew during the period just after Ramadan, from 22 May to 24. After that, the restrictions began to be lifted gradually. The Friday curfew that had been imposed continuously was lifted and Mosques were reopened for Friday prayer since 5 June, and other Friday restrictions were also lifted on 12 June. Furthermore, since 6 June, the night curfew had been reduced from 7pm-8am to 12pm-6am and the restriction on cars with the odd/even number-plate system that had enabled driving every other day had been lifted as well (the night curfew had further reduced to 1am-6am since 25 July and, although it had extended again so that it starts from 11pm or 12pm, it is 1am-6am since 11 September until today).
(2) Embassy response
In light of the above-mentioned situation, we had reduced the frequency of issuing emails about the information on Corona-related matters from every weekday to twice in a week since the middle of June. Additionally, despite the continuous closure of the airport, thanks to the growing number of special flights, the shortened night curfew, and the lift of restrictions on driving, the roles the Embassy played in supporting evacuations of Japanese citizens had been reduced only to providing special flights information and informing the Government of Jordan of personal information of the travelers.
The situation gradually enabled me to meet diplomatic corps since the middle of June, and in July, we could make appointments with Jordanians as well. Regarding these activities, please see the section three below.
On the other hand, in light of the deterioration of the epidemiological situation since the second half of September, the Embassy re-introduced the rotation system of the Embassy staffs, while maintaining counter services. Additionally, we increase the frequency of issuing emails about information on Corona-related matters accordingly.
(3) Resumption of international flights and the deterioration of epidemiological situation
The airport, which had been expected to be reopened at the beginning of August, finally resumed its operation for international flights on 8 September. However, partly because of the restrictions in other countries, the regular flights are operated only by Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airline, and not necessarily daily flights.
Amid the situation, as a result of the growing number of infections, Friday curfews were imposed on 28 August and 4 September, but in this time the curfews were just on these two days. However, in September we saw the surge of numbers of infection, which exceeded for the first time 100 cases in a day on 8 September. Moreover, the upward trend did not change, leading to that the number exceeded 1000 on 30 September. Therefore, the schools reopened on 1 September returned to remote classes since 17 September, and since 9 October, the weekend curfews on Friday and Saturday were again imposed for a while.
2. New Prime Minister
On 27 September, His Majesty King replaced two third of Senators who had reached the end of their terms, and dissolved the House of Representatives. Based on the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Razaz declared his resignation on 4 October, while His Majesty designated Advisor to King for Policies Dr. Khasawneh. His cabinet was approved on 12 October with eight ministers remained including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Mr. Safadi and Minister of Finance Dr. Ississ, and 23 ministers newly appointed. The elections of the House of Representatives are planned to be held on 10 November as announced.
3. Activities during the period
(1) International cooperation
a. International organisations
Because the restrictions by the Government of Jordan on gatherings over 20 persons made it impossible for me to attend launching events of the projects to which Government of Japan provides assistance, instead, the concerned international organisations issued press releases playing up Japan’s assistances.
27 May, UN-HABITAT: Assistance for the Great Amman Municipality against flash floods (978,709USD)
4 June, UNFPA: Assistance for a Mother and Child Heath project in Azraq camp (300,000USD)
7 June, UNOPS: Assistance to provide for Jordanian Royal Medical Services with medical equipment (1,300,000USD)
2 July, UNWOMEN: Assistance for women in Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps (666,600USD, this is a part distributed to Jordan in the project that include Egypt and Iraq as well)
Additionally, the second meeting for Japanese staffs working for international organisations were held on 27 July at the Embassy with necessary precautions measures to avoid infections, almost 20 international organisation staffs participated in the meeting. After that, as the normalisation of social activities in Amman, I received courtesy calls by representatives of UNOPS, FAO, UNFPA, and UNWOMEN on 6 August, 16 August, 17 September, and 1 October respectively.
b. Government of Jordan
On 27 July, I signed on the Exchange of Notes with H.E. Dr. Rabadi, then Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Jaber, then Minister of Health on the provision of medical equipment in the value of approximately 3.7 million US Dollars for the combat against Coronavirus. Additionally, on 28 July, I visited Zai Water Treatment Plant that was constructed by a Japanese grant project with Ms. MIYAHARA Chie, Chief Representative, JICA Jordan Office, accompanied by H.E. Eng. Abu Soud, then Minister of Water and Irrigation.
(2) Courtesy calls
On 12 July, I paid a courtesy call to H.E. Dr. Saif, CEO of Jordan Strategy Forum (Jordanian economic think-tank). On 7 September, I also paid courtesy calls to H.E. Mr. Abu Ragheb, Former Prime Minister who visited Japan in 2001 and 2002 and H.E. Mr. Al-Khatib, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs who visited Japan in 2006 accompanying His Majesty King Abdullah II.
(3) Consular Affairs
On 5 September, I attended a graduation ceremony for 2019 graduates and an entrance ceremony for 2020 of Japanese Supplementary School in Jordan that had been closed since the middle of March due to Covid-19, and made a speech (the classes had been resumed since 21 August). Concerning the number of Japanese citizens in Jordan, it had been approximately 320 before the outbreak of Coronavirus, which temporarily decreased to less than 200. Today it is increasing because some Japanese citizens are coming back gradually after the reopening of the airport on September.
(4) Farewell courtesy visits
I started paying farewell courtesy visits since my new assignment announced on 15 September, including visits to Speaker of House of Representatives H.E. Eng. Tarawneh, President of the Senate H.E. Mr. Fayez, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Safadi, then Minister of Environment and Agriculture H.E. Dr. Kharabsheh, then Minister of State for Media Affairs H.E. Mr. Adaileh, then Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Jaber, then Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rabadi, then Minister of Water and Irrigation, H.E. Eng. Abu Al-Saud, Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality H.E. Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, and Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff of Jordanian Armed Forces Major General Yousef Al-Hnaity from 23 to 29 September.
4. Security
During the period, due to the stricter security measures taken against Coronavirus, there happened no serious criminal or terror incident Japanese citizen involved. However, I hope Japanese citizens staying in the country continue paying much attention to their own safety and safe driving, especially in the late evening hours.
On the other hand, unfortunately, the country is facing the deterioration of the epidemiological situation since September. Please take enough preventive measures as much as possible.
Thank you for reading my messages for two years and ten month, I wish you all the best and healthy life in Jordan.
As I was officially assigned to Germany on 15 September, I will leave Jordan in the middle of October. I have been working in Jordan for two and ten months, during which I have been supported by your kindness and cooperation. I would like to appreciate all your support. My successor Mr. SHIMAZAKI, who has been Ambassador of Japan to Czech Republic, will arrive at Jordan in November.
I am writing this time on the restriction to prevent the pandemic in Jordan and my activities as Ambassador since the latest message was published in May. In the context of Japan-Jordan bilateral relations, there was a summit telephone conversation between His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan at the time who had just announced his resignation, in which His Majesty expressed his appreciation for Mr. Abe’s contribution.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
I am writing this time on the restriction to prevent the pandemic in Jordan and my activities as Ambassador since the latest message was published in May. In the context of Japan-Jordan bilateral relations, there was a summit telephone conversation between His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan at the time who had just announced his resignation, in which His Majesty expressed his appreciation for Mr. Abe’s contribution.
1. Novel Coronavirus
(1) Gradual ease of restrictions by Government of Jordan
Government of Jordan had announced again a comprehensive curfew during the period just after Ramadan, from 22 May to 24. After that, the restrictions began to be lifted gradually. The Friday curfew that had been imposed continuously was lifted and Mosques were reopened for Friday prayer since 5 June, and other Friday restrictions were also lifted on 12 June. Furthermore, since 6 June, the night curfew had been reduced from 7pm-8am to 12pm-6am and the restriction on cars with the odd/even number-plate system that had enabled driving every other day had been lifted as well (the night curfew had further reduced to 1am-6am since 25 July and, although it had extended again so that it starts from 11pm or 12pm, it is 1am-6am since 11 September until today).
(2) Embassy response
In light of the above-mentioned situation, we had reduced the frequency of issuing emails about the information on Corona-related matters from every weekday to twice in a week since the middle of June. Additionally, despite the continuous closure of the airport, thanks to the growing number of special flights, the shortened night curfew, and the lift of restrictions on driving, the roles the Embassy played in supporting evacuations of Japanese citizens had been reduced only to providing special flights information and informing the Government of Jordan of personal information of the travelers.
The situation gradually enabled me to meet diplomatic corps since the middle of June, and in July, we could make appointments with Jordanians as well. Regarding these activities, please see the section three below.
On the other hand, in light of the deterioration of the epidemiological situation since the second half of September, the Embassy re-introduced the rotation system of the Embassy staffs, while maintaining counter services. Additionally, we increase the frequency of issuing emails about information on Corona-related matters accordingly.
(3) Resumption of international flights and the deterioration of epidemiological situation
The airport, which had been expected to be reopened at the beginning of August, finally resumed its operation for international flights on 8 September. However, partly because of the restrictions in other countries, the regular flights are operated only by Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airline, and not necessarily daily flights.
Amid the situation, as a result of the growing number of infections, Friday curfews were imposed on 28 August and 4 September, but in this time the curfews were just on these two days. However, in September we saw the surge of numbers of infection, which exceeded for the first time 100 cases in a day on 8 September. Moreover, the upward trend did not change, leading to that the number exceeded 1000 on 30 September. Therefore, the schools reopened on 1 September returned to remote classes since 17 September, and since 9 October, the weekend curfews on Friday and Saturday were again imposed for a while.
2. New Prime Minister
On 27 September, His Majesty King replaced two third of Senators who had reached the end of their terms, and dissolved the House of Representatives. Based on the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Razaz declared his resignation on 4 October, while His Majesty designated Advisor to King for Policies Dr. Khasawneh. His cabinet was approved on 12 October with eight ministers remained including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Mr. Safadi and Minister of Finance Dr. Ississ, and 23 ministers newly appointed. The elections of the House of Representatives are planned to be held on 10 November as announced.
3. Activities during the period
(1) International cooperation
a. International organisations
Because the restrictions by the Government of Jordan on gatherings over 20 persons made it impossible for me to attend launching events of the projects to which Government of Japan provides assistance, instead, the concerned international organisations issued press releases playing up Japan’s assistances.
27 May, UN-HABITAT: Assistance for the Great Amman Municipality against flash floods (978,709USD)
4 June, UNFPA: Assistance for a Mother and Child Heath project in Azraq camp (300,000USD)
7 June, UNOPS: Assistance to provide for Jordanian Royal Medical Services with medical equipment (1,300,000USD)
2 July, UNWOMEN: Assistance for women in Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps (666,600USD, this is a part distributed to Jordan in the project that include Egypt and Iraq as well)
Additionally, the second meeting for Japanese staffs working for international organisations were held on 27 July at the Embassy with necessary precautions measures to avoid infections, almost 20 international organisation staffs participated in the meeting. After that, as the normalisation of social activities in Amman, I received courtesy calls by representatives of UNOPS, FAO, UNFPA, and UNWOMEN on 6 August, 16 August, 17 September, and 1 October respectively.
b. Government of Jordan
On 27 July, I signed on the Exchange of Notes with H.E. Dr. Rabadi, then Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Jaber, then Minister of Health on the provision of medical equipment in the value of approximately 3.7 million US Dollars for the combat against Coronavirus. Additionally, on 28 July, I visited Zai Water Treatment Plant that was constructed by a Japanese grant project with Ms. MIYAHARA Chie, Chief Representative, JICA Jordan Office, accompanied by H.E. Eng. Abu Soud, then Minister of Water and Irrigation.
(2) Courtesy calls
On 12 July, I paid a courtesy call to H.E. Dr. Saif, CEO of Jordan Strategy Forum (Jordanian economic think-tank). On 7 September, I also paid courtesy calls to H.E. Mr. Abu Ragheb, Former Prime Minister who visited Japan in 2001 and 2002 and H.E. Mr. Al-Khatib, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs who visited Japan in 2006 accompanying His Majesty King Abdullah II.
(3) Consular Affairs
On 5 September, I attended a graduation ceremony for 2019 graduates and an entrance ceremony for 2020 of Japanese Supplementary School in Jordan that had been closed since the middle of March due to Covid-19, and made a speech (the classes had been resumed since 21 August). Concerning the number of Japanese citizens in Jordan, it had been approximately 320 before the outbreak of Coronavirus, which temporarily decreased to less than 200. Today it is increasing because some Japanese citizens are coming back gradually after the reopening of the airport on September.
(4) Farewell courtesy visits
I started paying farewell courtesy visits since my new assignment announced on 15 September, including visits to Speaker of House of Representatives H.E. Eng. Tarawneh, President of the Senate H.E. Mr. Fayez, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates H.E. Mr. Safadi, then Minister of Environment and Agriculture H.E. Dr. Kharabsheh, then Minister of State for Media Affairs H.E. Mr. Adaileh, then Minister of Health H.E. Dr. Jaber, then Minister of Planning and International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rabadi, then Minister of Water and Irrigation, H.E. Eng. Abu Al-Saud, Mayor of the Greater Amman Municipality H.E. Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, and Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff of Jordanian Armed Forces Major General Yousef Al-Hnaity from 23 to 29 September.
4. Security
During the period, due to the stricter security measures taken against Coronavirus, there happened no serious criminal or terror incident Japanese citizen involved. However, I hope Japanese citizens staying in the country continue paying much attention to their own safety and safe driving, especially in the late evening hours.
On the other hand, unfortunately, the country is facing the deterioration of the epidemiological situation since September. Please take enough preventive measures as much as possible.
Thank you for reading my messages for two years and ten month, I wish you all the best and healthy life in Jordan.
As I was officially assigned to Germany on 15 September, I will leave Jordan in the middle of October. I have been working in Jordan for two and ten months, during which I have been supported by your kindness and cooperation. I would like to appreciate all your support. My successor Mr. SHIMAZAKI, who has been Ambassador of Japan to Czech Republic, will arrive at Jordan in November.
I am writing this time on the restriction to prevent the pandemic in Jordan and my activities as Ambassador since the latest message was published in May. In the context of Japan-Jordan bilateral relations, there was a summit telephone conversation between His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and H.E. Mr. ABE Shinzo, Prime Minister of Japan at the time who had just announced his resignation, in which His Majesty expressed his appreciation for Mr. Abe’s contribution.
Hidenao Yanagi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Jordan
<Previous Greetings>
Site Visit to Zai Water Treatment Plant
Courtesy Visit to President of the Senate H.E. Mr. Faisal Fayez
Courtesy Visit to CEO of Jordan Strategy Forum
Signing the Exchange of Notes for the Provision of Medical Equipment