(March 28, 2017) Consolidating the name and image of the Italian system in Japan: this is the northern star indicated by the new Italian ambassador to the country of the Rising Sun, Giorgio Starace, who today presented at the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Shinsuke Sugiyama copy of his credential letter. In a post published on the facebook page of the Embassy, Starace stated he’s taking office “in a very positive moment in relations between Italy and Japan. Last year we celebrated the first 150 years of diplomatic relations, but our ties are much older and growing stronger by the day”. The newly appointed Ambassador points out that “the love of Japanese friends for made in Italy – a brand with few equals in the world – is testified every day from their consumer choices. The passion of this audience for our culture is just as rooted: exhibitions and concerts of Italian artists are always very successful as well as collaborations in science and technological innovation. Our institutional relationships are intense and fruitful, most recently Prime Minister Gentiloni met with Prime Minister Abe in Rome during his European tour, and Japan confirms to be an International strategic and important partner”. Ambassador Starace has a clear view about the goals of his work: “We can do so much more together, to affirm Italy’s image in Japan. With the strength and the joint efforts of the whole Italian system we can seize and make the most of every opportunity to affirm – even more – the name of Italy. I hope that in the years to come I can count on the whole community, to promote the value of our great country. If we use our system, if we are united, nobody could stop us”. Among the first official engagements of the new ambassador, the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and inauguration of the exhibition “Ever Closer Europe” with the EU Ambassador Viorel Isticioaia Budura, the Finnish Secretary of State Anne Sipiläinen and on. Masazumi Gotoda, president of the League of EU-Japan Parliamentary Friendship. (Red)
