Your Majesties,
Your Royal Highnesses,

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to welcome Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to this luncheon hosted by the Norwegian Government. It is a particular pleasure to do so this year, which marks Norway’s centennial anniversary as a sovereign state. And even more so since Japan was among the first countries to recognise the newly independent Norway in 1905.

Our relations are longstanding and excellent. Both countries depend on the sea. The sea has fed us. The sea has transported us. We have been partners in trade and shipping for generations. Friendships have been built. Including the ones built on the foundations laid by the Norwegian Seamen’s Church and the missionaries who felt so welcome in Japan.

Your Majesties, the close relationship between the Norwegian Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family is a very special asset in our bilateral relations.

Japan is important to Norway. Our growing co-operation reflects broadly shared values, goals and interests. We regard Japan as a key partner in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals. The joint Norwegian-Japanese seminar at the United Nations University during the Crown Prince Regent’s recent visit to Japan bears witness to this. Promoting human security is also high on the international agenda of both countries.

Norway and Japan both recognise the inter-linkages between peace, security, and development. We co-operate closely in support of the peace process in Sri Lanka. We are committed to promoting peace, development and democracy in Afghanistan. Here Japan plays an essential role in co-ordinating the challenging disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants. We welcome the prospects of forging a closer partnership with Japan in the fields of peace and development in Sudan and in other African countries.

In May 2003 I had the great pleasure of visiting Japan as Prime Minister. It was a special honour for my wife Bjørg and me to be invited to the Imperial Palace and to meet the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.

In my talks with Prime Minister Koizumi and other Japanese partners, we covered a broad political, economic, social and cultural agenda – testifying to the comprehensive nature of our bilateral co-operation.

Few countries in the world can match the impressive economic development of Japan. It is a result of the hard work and determination of the Japanese people. It is an example for others to follow.

In our economic relations we continue to build on well-established areas such as shipping and supplying material inputs to Japan’s advanced industry, while consolidating progress in key areas like seafood and tourism.

Our societies face similar challenges. During my visit we held our first ever joint seminar on family policy and gender equality. The third joint seminar on this subject was held during the recent visit by the Crown Prince Regent and the Minister of Trade and Industry. The task of meeting the needs and aspirations of men and women, both in family and working life, is of particular importance to modern societies like Norway and Japan. Our fruitful bilateral discussions demonstrate how beneficial it is to share experience and ideas.

Japan is at the forefront of international research in many areas. The bilateral science and technology agreement, signed during my visit to Japan in 2003, provides a good framework for increased co-operation in this field. Priority is given to areas such as energy and the environment, materials and nanotechnology, and seafood safety. This co-operation is an important vehicle for developing highly specialised commercial contacts.

Although Japan is geographically far from Norway, your country is part of Norwegians’ everyday life. We drive Japanese cars. My generation enjoys music on CD players from Japan. The younger generation has iPods of Japanese make. Food, too, brings us together. Sushi and sashimi have become very popular through the many Japanese restaurants in Norway and are now often prepared at home as well.

Our cultural contacts and co-operation enrich our overall relations. Norwegians are inspired by Japanese art and culture such as ikebana and Kurosawa’s films. Names like Ibsen, Grieg and Munch are familiar to the Japanese. Modern Norwegian jazz is popular in Japan. I know Your Majesties are accomplished musicians and that the Imperial Family is an important bearer of the unique Japanese culture and at the same time has a profound understanding of Western culture.

Although our countries are far apart, we have shared values that make our cultural expressions accessible to each other: a preference for quality over quantity, a liking for simplicity and an urge to be close to nature. I hope this will make you feel at home during your visit.

Your Majesties, I hope that your stay in Norway will be both enjoyable and memorable.

I would now like to ask you all to join me in a toast to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.