From Ambassador (Visit of Foreign Minister Þorgerður to Nagasaki)

From February 17th to 22nd, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited Japan, and I had an honor of accompanying the Foreign Miniter.  While her schedules in Tokyo have already been reported a lot, I wish to write about Foreign Minister Þorgerður’s visit to Nagasaki which took place on February 20^th.
 
After arriving at the Nagasaki Airport, Foreign Minister’s delegation went to Dejima, which was the main outpost of foreign trade and cultural exchange during the Edo period when Japan adopted a policy of national isolation.  Then, Foreign Minister’s schedule was so busy that she had meetings with Mayor Suzuki of Nagasaki City and with Governor Oishi of Nagasaki Prefecture, visited Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, talked with an atomic bomb survivor (Hibakusha), had an interview with media, and laid flowers at the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument.
 
In every event, what was most impressive was abundant expressiveness and warm hospitality of Nagasaki as international city as well as attractive personality of Foreign Minister Þorgerður.  Although the visit to Dejima was done in a very short notice, we were received pleasantly and guided with fluent English.  At the City Hall of Nagasaki, all the staff welcomed the Foreign Minister with applause, which was moving to her.  At the Prefectural Office, the sign board displayed the flags of Iceland and Japan, as in the photo.  At the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, “Make Nagasaki the Last Atomic Bombing Site” was stated as a strong message.  Mr Michio HAKARIYA, a Hibakusha, talked about his own experience in fluent English.  Foreign Minister Þorgerður listened attentively at every event, while expressing grave sympathies with Nagasaki.  We can see how she felt from the photo of flower laying to the Hypocenter Monument.  Foreign Minister Þorgerður was also paying kind attention and greetings to guiding people and drivers, despite the hectic schedule.  In the meantime, she actively strolled around the streets of Nagasaki city on foot, appreciating the Lantern Festival which was on at that time.  I did pay deepest respect to her wonderful personality and energy.
 
The Nagasaki Newspaper reported the visit of Foreign Minister Þorgerður to Nagasaki with the headline “Never Forget the Tragedy of Nagasaki.”  On behalf of the Japanese side, I would like to express sincere thanks to Foreign Minister Þorgerður for her visit to Nagasaki.