japanemb_brunei

A Happy New Year 2022. I would like to extend my best wishes for a prosperous and healthy new year to you all.

As I welcome my first new year in Brunei since my arrival last November, I have already started to recognize how cordial and firm the ties between our two countries are. I also realize that our cooperation is even expanding into new areas in addition to the traditional areas such as energy security.

For instance, on December 13 last year, we contributed to the efforts of the Brunei Government in distributing COVID-19 antigen rapid test kits and masks, besides the provision of the vaccines last summer, On December 27, “JS URAGA” and “JS HIRADO” of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted a goodwill exercise with the KDB DARULEHSAN of the Royal Brunei Navy and made a port call at Muara. On the next day, December 28, His Excellency. Kishi Nobuo,　Minister of Defense Japan and The Honorable Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Minister of Defence II of Brunei Darussalam met online to reaffirm the friendship and cooperation between the two ministries.

It has been my pleasure to have learned from various meetings with Japanese people in Brunei that Japanese residents and companies are making great contributions to the society and the economy of Brunei in their own ways. I sincerely hope that we can continue to work together closely for an even better partnership between Japan and Brunei.

In 2022, hoping for the post-pandemic future, we shall be ready to make our utmost efforts to revitalize various exchanges between our people and government. Furthermore, we would like to deepen our discussion with all stakeholders in Brunei and Japan on how Japan can be a good partner for Brunei in facing its key challenges including the economic diversification,

While the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet fully abated, I sincerely hope that this year will bring all of you many successes.

New Year’s Day, 2022
MAEDA Toru
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Brunei Darussalam