On Wednesday 17/2/2016, His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Masuo Nishibayashi was invited by the School of Law and Social Sciences of Neapolis University in Cyprus and the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) to deliver a lecture on the subject of “The Japan – Cyprus Relations: Political and Economic Prospects”.
The event was coordinated and moderated by Dr. in International Law Mr. Thomas- Nektarios Papanastasiou (PhD Waseda University of Tokyo), and short addresses were made by the Vice President of the Council of the University of Paphos, Mr Georgios Leptos and the President of the PCCI Mr Andreas Demetriades. The Head of the Asia and Oceania Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Mr. Panagiotis Papadopoulos sent by letter his greetings to the event.
The event was attended the Mayor of Paphos Mr. Fedon Fedonos, the Honorary Consul of Japan in Cyprus Mr. Andreas Neocleous, professors and students of the University, city councilors and businessmen of the wider region of Paphos, and many people.
Mr. Nishibayashi thoroughly analysed the current major issues of concern in Japan regarding the economy, domestic politics, the international relations and the important role of Japan as the third largest economy of the world. Of particular interest was the analysis of modern economic strategy of Japan, also known as Abenomics, borrowed from the name of the Prime Minister and his reference to the policy adopted to ensure rapid reconstruction and to assist sufferers of the area affected by the great earthquake of March 11, 2011 and the devastating effects of the tsunami and the nuclear accident of Fukushima.
Additionally, the Japanese Ambassador cited the most important issues concerning the foreign policy and diplomacy of his country in the region of South-East Asia, for the normalisation of relations with its neighbours, the counter threads from the North Korean regime and, on a global level, by contributing within the UN framework, as the second most important country-donor and through the country’s participation in international organisations.
Finally, Mr Nishibayashi, stressed the importance of Europe for Japan in terms of economic, political and business relations, indicating the country’s interest in promoting its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, along with the expansion of the economic cooperation in areas, such as tourism, shipping and investment.
