Ambassador Miyamoto’s Message on the occasion of His Majesty the Emperor’s 62nd Birthday

 
On the 63rd Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito, I am honored to convey His Majesty's beautiful memories to the leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain and its people, which he still cherishes for this country since His Majesty's visit in 1994 to Bahrain, accompanied by Her Majesty the Empress, when he was Crown Prince.

The bilateral relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Bahrain have witnessed steady progress at all levels thanks to the wise political will of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Japanese community receives warm welcome, care and attention in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In this context,  the last year witnessed significant milestones that contributed to strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries, including the visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and the Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abdulatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to Japan to attend the State Funeral of the former Japanese Prime Minister, ABE Shinzo, and holding his first meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio during his visit. It also witnessed the visit of the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. HONDA Taro, to the Kingdom of Bahrain last summer, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which highlighted with the signing of the investment promotion and protection agreement between the two countries. The two sides also held a new round of political consultations between representatives of the two countries in Tokyo.
 
I am pleased to take this opportunity to value the initiatives of the Kingdom of Bahrain in promoting peaceful coexistence, dialogue and openness to the world with all civilizations, religions and cultures, which made it an ideal destination for tourists, expatriates and residents to live in stability and freedom. It is no wonder that Bahrain has been enjoying a unique historical experience since thousands of years in terms of peaceful coexistence, as it has been known throughout the ages for embracing all peoples and races on its soil.
 
Moreover, I would like to commend the prominent role played by the Kingdom of Bahrain in protecting regional security and stability and defending global interests, especially in combating piracy and protecting sea straits, as the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain is pivotal in this field, not only due to its strategic location, but also through its efforts to enhance regional security and stability, based on its cooperation with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), which exist to promote maritime security, combating piracy, and cooperation on the Gulf security. And I recall here a quote by a French historian Fernand Braudel: "The sea is not what separates one person from another, but rather connects them." I believe that Japan and Bahrain as two island countries, both of which are surrounded by the sea and live on it, and we can play more roles to connect different countries and peoples and contribute to peace and stability in the world.
 
I wish our two countries and the whole world continued security and stability, and the bilateral relations between our two friendly countries further progress and prosperity, thanking and appreciating your attendance to this reception.