Message from Ambassador Hayashi

As someone with some experience of and considerable affection for the UK and its people, I am very happy to serve as Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom.

In fact, the United Kingdom was the first foreign country I ever lived in; I enjoyed a three-month homestay in Folkestone in early 1973 when I attended an English language school there. One of the teachers was the wife of a retired diplomat and encouraged me to pursue my desire to become a diplomat.

From 1996 I spent three years at the Embassy in London, first as Political Counsellor and subsequently as Political Minister. It was a most stimulating and enjoyable experience, and it was a wrench to leave when my tour of duty ended. I was therefore delighted when I had the opportunity to return to the UK last year as Minister Plenipotentiary, or Deputy Head of Mission, and feel honoured indeed as I contemplate my new assignment.

Over the last one hundred and fifty years, since our two countries established a diplomatic relationship, we have developed a solid, far-reaching partnership in every major arena. Traditionally buoyed by mutually-beneficial commercial relations centred on a strong flow of inward investment from Japan, our ties have expanded to embrace a range of elements from cultural matters to global foreign policy and security issues. United by our commitment to fundamental values including democracy, a market economy, the rule of law and respect for human rights, we confer regularly and cooperate closely on such pressing subjects as Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation and international development.

I am committed to promoting economic links further between our two countries as they now provide the backbone of our relationship. Underpinning our cordial, forward-looking relations in the political and economic fields are our people-to-people ties, which have become still stronger and more deeply-rooted in recent years. I am certain that the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide opportunities to further strengthen our mutual ties. Before then, of course, there will be a Royal Wedding. This event has already gained the keen interest of the Japanese people, as we have our own Imperial family. As ambassador I will make sure that my Embassy continues to support exchanges between our two countries and peoples.

The Japan-UK relationship is in robust shape. I hope you will join me in helping to ensure that it goes from strength to strength in the years ahead.