A Farewell Message from Ambassador HE Mr HAYASHI Hajime, together with his wife, Dr HAYASHI Haruko

2024/10/24
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In December of 2020, at the very height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UK, and two months after that, in February 2021, just as the vaccination rollout was gathering pace, we moved to London together. During my tenure of close to four years, we have stood right at the forefront of Anglo-Japanese relations, meeting and forging close ties with both British citizens and Japanese residents of the UK. Now, on the eve of our return to Japan, we would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude for the cooperation, support and encouragement extended by so many friends, British and Japanese alike, during this eventful period.

Surely it is not an overstatement to describe the period in which we were in the UK as a turbulent one indeed. The COVID-19 pandemic afflicted all those residing in the UK in some form and claimed many lives. At such a fraught time, the UK was one of the first to mobilise countless volunteers and establish a system to vaccinate its citizens swiftly. We can still vividly recall both of us, along with many other citizens, standing in line to be vaccinated at a temporarily constructed venue in the exhibition space of the Science Museum in South Kensington in London.

Our time here also encompassed another event of extreme historical magnitude: the passing in 2022 of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who represented her country in a manner both dignified and hugely effective for a staggering 70 years. Her Majesty made boundless contributions to Anglo-Japanese relations through kindling a unique and deep bond with the Japanese Imperial Family, personified by the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan at Her Majesty's state funeral. The following year, we witnessed His Majesty King Charles III accede to the throne with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino attending the coronation, similarly demonstrating the expansive nature of this deep friendship between the Japanese Imperial Family and the British Royal Family.

This period also saw the UK depart from the EU, embarking on a new journey in its relations with the international community as a non-EU member state. In response, Japan consistently sought to strengthen its partnership with the UK, recognising our common bonds as countries with a myriad of shared fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as shared strategic interests in the international community as members of the G7. The long and varied history between our two countries dates back to the mid-19th century and, building upon the foundations laid by those who came before, the efforts of people in both countries over the past few years have enabled the Anglo-Japanese relationship to reach new, unprecedented heights.

Meanwhile, the international situation has become increasingly volatile, illustrated by Russia's aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law, upheavals in the Middle East and unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific region. Against such a backdrop, strengthening the partnership between Japan and the UK was the inevitable choice for both countries and, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May 2023, ‘The Hiroshima Accord: An Enhanced UK-Japan Global Strategic Partnership’ was announced by former Prime Ministers KISHIDA Fumio and Rishi Sunak.

As the international community strove to overcome the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the previously battered social, economic and cultural spheres began to recover, a trend towards increased exchange and cooperation between Japan and the UK in many areas became apparent. Indeed, dynamic interaction is developing in almost all fields, ranging from politics and diplomacy, security and defence, the economy and business to science and technology, education, culture, sport and tourism. Exchanges of young people between the two countries under Japan's Working Holiday Scheme and the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme have both radically expanded this year and comprise an important contribution to mutual understanding.

Against this backdrop, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan paid a State Visit to the UK for the first time in 26 years in June of this year, showcasing the enduring ties between Japan and the UK. They had both studied at Oxford University and share a deep fondness for the UK. They received a warm welcome and generous hospitality from many British people, including His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. We were involved in the preparations for the visit and had the rare and delightful experience of being close by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress throughout.

Looking back on our time in the UK, it has been an unforgettable pleasure to serve here during such an eventful time and to contribute, if only to a small extent, to the extremely important Anglo-Japanese partnership. The current progress would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of all those who have striven to support and encourage the flourishing of the ties between the two countries.

The current Labour Government led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was formed as recently as July, while in Japan there will be a general election for the House of Representatives in a few days, following the formation of a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru back in early October. Thus, further co-operation between Japan and the UK will be shaped by new political leadership. We look forward to continuing to support the collaboration between our countries after we return home, this time from Japan.

Thank you very much, everyone. Farewell, and we wish you all the best of health.

 
24 October 2024

HAYASHI Hajime
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UK
HAYASHI Haruko, PhD
Wife of the Ambassador