From Ambassador (Arctic and Japan)
2025/11/28
The embassy building in the morning
At the end of November, Iceland is enjoying full-fledged winter. What I feel most severe is the shortness of daylight hours. As of November 28, sunrise is 10:38, and sunset is 15:53. The duration of sunshine will be further lessened towards the winter solstice. Ambassadors of other Nordic countries kindly advise me that we have better take advantage of possible daytime to be exposed to sunshine. That is a wisdom of life in the Arctic states. My daily life in winter Reykjavik begins with going to the office in a dark morning time. I feel encouraged by seeing children cheerfully going to school with wearing hats and coats. The Christmas lights hanging in the windows of houses give us a beautiful sight that can only be seen during this dark season.
Iceland as an Arctic nation played a key role for Japan’s Arctic policy. It is what I wrote about in an article that I contributed recently. Iceland is definitely important if we look back the history of the establishment of Arctic Circle in 2013, research collaboration by National Polar Institute of Research (NIPR) of Japan with Iceland since 1970’s, and the Third Meeting of Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) co-hosted by Japan and Iceland in 2021. I received feedback that it is interesting for Iceland readers to see the relations with Japan in the context of the Arctic. I wish to draw your attention to the link below.
Looking back this year, we had significant events like the National Day of Iceland at Osaka Kansai EXPO on May 29 and President Halla’s visit to Japan, as well as Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado’s participation in the Arctic Circle Assembly in October. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Iceland. Japan’s new Arctic Research Vessel Mirai II is scheduled to be delivered to JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) in November 2026. I would also like to write a message in this corner as far as possible next year, in order to serve to the promotion of the two countries’ relations.
https://vardberg.is/frettir/keizo-takewaka-sendiherra-japans-a-islandi-nordurslodastefna-japans-og-mikilvaegi-islands/
Iceland as an Arctic nation played a key role for Japan’s Arctic policy. It is what I wrote about in an article that I contributed recently. Iceland is definitely important if we look back the history of the establishment of Arctic Circle in 2013, research collaboration by National Polar Institute of Research (NIPR) of Japan with Iceland since 1970’s, and the Third Meeting of Arctic Science Ministerial (ASM3) co-hosted by Japan and Iceland in 2021. I received feedback that it is interesting for Iceland readers to see the relations with Japan in the context of the Arctic. I wish to draw your attention to the link below.
Looking back this year, we had significant events like the National Day of Iceland at Osaka Kansai EXPO on May 29 and President Halla’s visit to Japan, as well as Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado’s participation in the Arctic Circle Assembly in October. Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Iceland. Japan’s new Arctic Research Vessel Mirai II is scheduled to be delivered to JAMSTEC (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) in November 2026. I would also like to write a message in this corner as far as possible next year, in order to serve to the promotion of the two countries’ relations.
https://vardberg.is/frettir/keizo-takewaka-sendiherra-japans-a-islandi-nordurslodastefna-japans-og-mikilvaegi-islands/