Spanish PM visits Japan - 03.09.2010

The Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, has been received in audience by the Emperor of Japan Akihito. The meeting, held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, was the last act of the Spanish President in Tokyo before traveling to Kyoto.

The Emperor asked the Prime Minister to convey warm greetings to the King of Spain.
The Prime Minister, meanwhile, has sent greetings to Emperor Akihito from Don Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, who made his last official visit to Japan in 2008.
The Japanese Emperor wanted to transfer their solidarity and sympathy over the recent death in Afghanistan of two police officers and a Spanish translator.
As protocol, the meeting was not to discuss politics or economics.
Also. the Prime Minister visited the Embassy of Spain in Tokyo, where he met with a group of Spanish living in Japan.
The Prime Minister wanted to congratulate all the Spanish that "contribute their efforts to progress in Japan."  Rodriguez Zapatero has said that "during this visit we will try to improve human relations, both political and economic relations between Spain and Japan." 
He reminded those present that "any relationship has to start at the rapprochement between the people, by the understanding, communication, ultimately, the human side, and from this relationship is built cultural, economic and politics."
The President stressed the need for our country to maintain good relations with Japan.  Rodriguez Zapatero has said Spain is "one country, above all, open to friendship and co-operation with all countries in the world. And with Japan in a unique way, as it plays a decisive role in Asia and in the international context."
The Chief Executive also referred to the climate change challenge facing the two countries together.  Rodriguez Zapatero has said that "another major goal in the world and the economy have ahead is to make a planet that we do not ever apologise for having exhausted all natural resources, its energy sources, their habitat. If we have any challenge, as countries Japan and Spain, is to address seriously the fight against climate change, protect the environment and rational use of energy. "