【Hot News】Shinnenkai Info #号外
ホットニュース
新年会に際して、アルネ・ウォルター大使より、NJSへの温かいメッセージをいただきました。
The New Year's party is finally tomorrow.
On the occasion of the New Year's party, we received a warm message from Ambassador Arne Walther.
アルネ・ウォルター大使はノルウェーの外交官で、1994年から1999年までインド大使、2002年から2003年までオーストリア大使、2009年から日本大使を務めました。国際エネルギーフォーラムの初代事務局長も務めていらっしゃいます。
Ambassador Arne Walther is a Norwegian diplomat.
He was Ambassador to India from 1994 to 1999, and served as Ambassador to India from 1994 to 1999, to Austria from 2002 to 2003, and to Japan from 2009.
He was also the first Secretary General of the International Energy Forum.
“Dear Members of the Norway-Japan Society,
With fond memories of Japan and especially of the activities and good friends in the Norway-Japan Society during my tenure as Norway’s Ambassador to Japan 2009-2014, it is with great pleasure that my wife Anita Pratap and I wish you a very Happy New Year on occasion of your New Year’s party on 1 February.
Anita and I consider our stay in Japan as one of the high points in life. Learning so much about Japan and from Japan, being introduced to your unique culture. The Norway-Japan Society and members contributed so much to that. It was, not least, a pleasure seeing the Choir getting better and better for each passing year. It was always moving to hear the Choir sing in Norwegian, and that much better than most Norwegians. Very special for me was the annual sailing regatta and party in Enoshima, the bay filled with sailing boats flying the Norwegian flag and the prize ceremonies with good food and drink in happy bonding with mariners of all ages – children, youth and old-timers.
Our stay in Japan was a time of many political level visits from Norway that energized our bilateral relations across the board from culture, education, business and international cooperation, highlighted by the visit of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Our stay also included moments of profound national sorrow in both Japan and Norway. These brought us closer together in mutual empathy. In Japan due to the earthquake, tsunami in Tohoku killing so many thousand Japanese and nuclear accident at Fukushima. In Norway due to the terrorist attack by a fellow Norwegian on government buildings in Oslo and summer camp youth on the island Utøya killing 77 people, mostly youth.
And now in happier times, the recent visit by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has given further boost to relations and cooperation between Norway and Japan while the Norway-Japan Society continues its good work under the able stewardship of President and former Ambassador of Japan to Norway TAUCHI, Masahiro.
Anita and I will be with you in spirit but will miss seeing you and listening to NJS Choir at your New Year Party on 1 February,
Best wishes
Anita Pratap and Arne Walther”