National Pride Important to Both Japan and Hungary

By respecting our traditions, we can overcome many obstacles and support our families in moving forward, said Gergely Gulyás, the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, at an event to celebrate the 63rd birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan.

In his welcoming speech, Gulyás recalled his visit to Japan in December and expressed his appreciation for the Japanese hospitality he had the opportunity to enjoy. “During my trip I made sure that despite the great geographical distance, Hungary and Japan share many common views,” he said.

Above all, the minister highlighted:

“a deep commitment to our countries, patriotism, and national pride” as the most important common principles, adding that “the willingness to achieve more and the desire for the greater good also bind us closely together.”

Gulyás added that future-oriented thinking is the key to the success of Hungary and Japan’s partnership, but cited Japan’s openness to investment and development as the driving force behind the “long-lasting and balanced partnership.” He recalled that “since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Japan has played a prominent role in the economic development of Central and Eastern Europe,” adding that Japan was the seventh largest investor in Hungary in 2020, with more than four billion dollars of foreign direct investment.

According to Gulyás, the love for sport represents another common bond between the two countries. He praised Japan’s performance at the 2021 Olympic Games, which were held in “extremely difficult circumstances.”

The Hungarian Minister said that all the above mentioned concepts prove that “the two countries can look to the future with optimism, because we have the necessary knowledge and skills, we remain open to learning, and we can overcome many obstacles by respecting our traditions.”

Otaka Masato, Japan’s Ambassador to Hungary, stressed at the event, among other things, that Hungary and Japan have strong economic ties: in addition to foreign direct investment, more than 180 Japanese companies are currently operating in Hungary, and this number is expected to grow. As a proof of the bilateral cooperation, the Ambassador highlighted the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, who recently received the Public Media’s Man of the Year Award for the design of the House of Hungarian Music.

Featured photo via Pixabay