Saudi GazetteIn commemoration of the birthday of the Emperor of Japan who turns 78 on December 23, the Japanese community in the Kingdom is celebrating their country's National Day, Tuesday. Saudi Gazette met with the Consul General of Japan in Jeddah, Jun Yoshida, to discuss the Emperor's birthday as well as Saudi-Japanese economic and cultural relations. Q: Can you tell us about the Emperor's birthday and what this day means to Japanese around the world? A: Our National Day marks the birthday of our Emperor Akihito who is regarded as the supreme symbol for every Japanese. You may ask why we chose to celebrate on December 6 rather than on the Emperor's birthday which is December 23. Because the Emperor's birthday is very close to Christmas and New Year's Day when many people including Japanese expatriates may be outside the country, we – all the Japanese around the world - decided to change the celebration day to an earlier date so that many people can take part in this occasion. On our National Day we express our love for our country and for our beloved Emperor. Q: Can you tell us about your experience as a representative of your country in the Middle East? A: I started my diplomatic career in 1973 when I was appointed as Consul General for three years in Cairo – the heart of Arab culture and the symbol of the current Arab Spring. I spent three years there learning Arabic. Then, I went back again to my country and after that I was sent to Sudan. As far as the Gulf region is concerned, Saudi Arabia is my first posting in this area. Q: What have you found that Arab culture and Japanese traditions have in common? A: There are many things in common between the two cultures. One of the most remarkable things occurring in both Arab and Japanese cultures is that we both try to preserve and protect our traditions and cultural signs. Although both Arabs and Japanese are in one way or another open to Western civilization and accommodate it, at the same time they do not want to risk abandoning their traditional norms and cultural heritage. Another mutual cultural custom is the deep respect we –both Japanese and Arabs - show for elderly people. I also respect Saudis and other Gulf people who maintain their national customs and codes, such as the wearing of thobes and abayas. In Japan we do not wear our traditional attire which resembles to some extent the thobe except on some special occasions. Q: What are the mutual ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia? A: The history of such bonds can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. After various interchanges between the two countries represented in economic delegations, we established official diplomatic relations in 1955 following the Kingdom's foundation in 1932. The Kingdom is now playing a leading role in the world as a member of the G20. Japan has been cooperating with the Kingdom in many fields. For example, Japan is ranked as first in importing from the Kingdom and is ranked fourth as an exporter to the Kingdom. Regarding Japanese investments, we are ranked as third in investment in Saudi Arabia after the US and the UAE. In the field of cultural exchange, I can give one example. Japan was invited to take part in the 26th Janadriyah Festival in Riyadh last April as an official guest. Many Japanese companies joined the festival. Q: What is special about the relations between the two countries? A: In the aftermath of the strong earthquake and horrible tsunami which hit Japan last March, King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, ordered the provision of gas and other petroleum products as generous aid to the people of Japan. Saudi assistance to Japan included 60,000 butane gas cartridges and 10,000 portable gas burners. This initiative by the Saudi government shows that there is a very deep and special relationship between our countries. __
