Hranush Hakobyan: Armenians and Japanese have much in common
On January 21 RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received the delegation led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Minoru Kiuchi. The delegation included senior diplomats of MFA of Japan and Acting Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae. RA Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Manasaryan was also present at the meeting. Both sides stressed the importance of opening Embassy of Japan in Armenia and expressed confidence that it would contribute to the development of interstate relations. Minister of Diaspora noted that our two nations have much in common- long history, high culture and values, unique ability to combine the old, traditional and new. Japanese State Minister thanked for the reception and noted that he had learnt about Armenia and Armenian Diaspora still at school by reading the books of William Saroyan. Minoru Kiuchi noted that 100 years ago a large number of Japanese migrated and settled mainly in Latin America and other countries and now Japan has 3 million people in diaspora. He regretted to say that the ties with Japanese diaspora weren’t close and the fourth generation of Japanese diaspora doesn’t speak Japanese and in that context the experience of Armenia is very helpful. He highlighted that both countries have insufficient natural resources and must work to develop human resources. Minister Hranush Hakobyan also noted that Japanese culture and literature are very close to Armenian people, in Armenia Japan is perceived as progressive and innovative country. With the request of Minoru Kiuchi Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan presented the history of formation of Armenian Diaspora, activities of the Ministry, projects, the mechanisms and principals by which the Ministry is led while working with Armenian 30 000 institutions and organization of Diaspora. She also reflected on the history of small community in Japan and the activities of two associations founded by Armenian and Japanese devotees. Minister Hranush Hakobyan informed the speakers about the issues relating to recognition, condemnation and elimination of consequences of Armenian Genocide and highlighted, “We are fighting not only for the protection of our rights but also for prevention of such crimes in future.” Speakers expressed confidence that afterwards Armenian-Japanese relations would develop more effectively. Minoru Kiuchi expressed deep pain for all the tragedies that Armenian nation had suffered and expressed hope that they would not be repeated.
