8/13/2019 Japan Times -Portugal National Day

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Portugal national day

Jos de Freitas Ferraz

AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL

Next year we will be celebratingthe 470th anniversary of the ar-

rival of the firstPortuguese inTanegashima,Kagoshima Pre-fecture.

The arrival ofthe Portuguesein September of1543 marked the

beginning of contacts betweenJapan and Europe. Those trans-lated into a flourishing com-merce, which made possible im-portant cultural exchanges we sooften refer to.

This year, two cities in Kyushu,Minamishimabara and Saikai,both in Nagasaki Prefecture, willbe celebrating the 450th anniver-sary of the inauguration of their

respective ports, Kuchinotsu andYokoseura, by Lus de Almeida, aPortuguese doctor. He was alsoresponsible for the introductionof Western medicine, foundinga hospital in Oita where he per-formed the first surgery ever car-ried out in Japan, and created thefirst orphanage in the country.

Apart from Western medicine,the Portuguese brought withthem new painting techniques,new music and musical instru-ments (such as the pipe organ),the firearm, the astrolabe, con-fectionery and bread (kasutera,kompeitou, bolo, pan, etc.)

just to mention a few, while Jap-anese lacquerware, silver objects

and the famous Nanban screens

reached the European continent.Economic relations have al-

ways been the central element ofthe connections among nationsthroughout history. It was truefive centuries ago, and it is evenmore valid today.

Having in mind the ongoingnegotiating process to achievean economic partnership agree-ment between Japan and theEuropean Union, I consider thedeepening of the commercialand economic ties between Por-tugal and Japan as a priority ofour long relationship.

It is important to expand theflux of trade, investment andtourism between the two coun-

tries. It is also relevant to in-

crease the cooperation on thefield of alternative energies andenergy efficiency. In 2010, re-newable energy was the sourcefor 43 percent of Portugals elec-tricity generation. For over 10

years, Portugal has been promot-ing energy efficiency and the useof renewable energy, seeking toupgrade the competitiveness ofthe Portuguese economy, whilepreserving the environment andreducing emissions.

Last summer, Portugallaunched its nationwide electric

vehicle charging network, whichincludes 1,500 normal and 50fast charging stations in 25 townsand cities across the country.

Our capital city Lisbon has more

than 600 of those stations.This year on March 13, an im-

portant step to mutual coopera-tion between the two countries

was taken forward. The Ministryof Economy and Employmentof Portugal and the New Energyand Industrial Technology De-

velopment Organization (NEDO)signed a letter of intent to estab-lish a partnership that covers a

wide range of energy technologyactivities.

The aim of this cooperationis to develop joint projects whileexploring the potential of tech-nology development in threedifferent fields, such as renew-able energy (wind and pumped

storage technology, photovoltaictechnology, and thermal solarsystems), energy efficiency (zeroenergy buildings and positiveenergy buildings) and smart

communities (smart grids andenergy use management sys-tems). It will enable mutual ex-change of information and spe-cialists, seminars, internationalstandardization, and creation ofa master plan for a smart com-munity in a Portuguese city.

The ties linking our twocountries are based in history,and it is a great honor for us tobe the oldest friend of Japan inthe Western world, and for thatreason I believe we must striveto look ahead and deepen ourbonds by focusing in the futurethrough our younger genera-tions. Both countries are pro-moting the mobility of studentsbetween its universities, and we

also witnessed a growing num-ber of exchanges and collabora-tion among research centers inmany different areas.

This year, Guimares, thebirthplace of the first king ofPortugal and our first capital,is the European Capital of Cul-ture. With its glorious past, the

historical center of this beautifultown is one of the 14 UNESCOWorld Heritage sites of our smallcountry, which is slightly biggerthan Hokkaido. This young and

vibrant town located in the northof Portugal, will be hosting sev-eral cultural and artistic eventsthroughout the year.

In order to promote intercul-tural exchange between Portu-gal and Japan, a number of ac-tivities with the participation of

young artists from both countriesare being organized jointly byFundao Cidade de Guimares,the Portuguese organizer, andEU-Japan Fest Japan Committee,a Japanese non-governmentalorganization that has been sup-

porting the exchange of bothtraditional and innovative cul-ture between European Capitalsof Culture and Japan since 1992.

On the occasion of the Por-tuguese National Day, I want toexpress my firm commitment tothe strengthening of a relation-ship that started 470 years ago.

We owe it to our ancestorto the citizens of our two tries. And we remain strengaged to pass on this comheritage to future generatio

Looking forward to 470 years of Japan-Portugal kizuna bonds

Sight to see: The picturesque village of Azenhas do Mar inSintra is built on cliffs facing the Atlantic Ocean and is popfor its splendid views. CLAUDIA MOITA RIBEIRO

Traditional: Lisbons downtown area of Baxia, viewed from the Castle of Sao Jorge, is home tosurroundings that have not changed much for generations. EMBASSY OF PORTUGAL