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160 years of friendship is a remarkable anniversary. Since 1866, Belgians and Japanese have been cooperating in all fields: from academic to clean energy, from arts & culture to economy, from sports to research & development. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together, and to look forward to how we can deepen our friendship even further. Belgium stands ready to work together with Japan to continue strengthening our common prosperity and security. 

During my visit to Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka in 2025, I could personally experience how flourishing and promising our relations are. How we connect at all levels, including at the level of our Regions - Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels - and of our local authorities. I had the pleasure myself to oversee, during my time as Mayor of Namur, student exchanges with the City of Ogaki. These exchanges prepare the future of our friendship as they build upon the mutual respect, trust and interest we grant each another. 

Be it bilaterally or in the framework of the European Union, NATO and the UN, Japan and Belgium join hands to face common challenges; to defend our shared values such as democracy, multilateralism and dialogue; and to prosper together. United we are stronger! 

Long live the friendship between Japan and Belgium!

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the 160th anniversary of the friendship between Japan and Belgium. Since the conclusion of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation in 1866, Japan and Belgium have built friendly relations for a long time, based on the close relationship between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family. 

In recent years, the two countries have been developing cooperation in a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, and culture, through active exchanges at all levels of the public and private sectors, as strategic partners who share values and principles. In particular, on the occasion of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid and her husband, as well as many others from Belgium, visited Japan to further enhance exchanges. 

The Government of Japan regards this 160th anniversary of friendship as a new starting point for raising bilateral relations to even greater heights, and will strive to further strengthen cooperation with Belgium. In addition, in cooperation with frameworks such as the EU and NATO, we will promote cooperation with Belgium to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. I sincerely hope that this memorable year will further deepen the ties between the two countries through various commemorative projects carried out in both countries.

I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on this historic milestone of the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Belgium. 

The two countries have fostered a solid friendly relationship between their people for over a century and a half, based on exchanges between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family. Thank you again for the warm friendship shown by the people of Belgium. 

The two countries, which share values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, are deepening cooperation in a wide range of fields. In particular, I am pleased to see that we are building cooperative relationships in the economic field, including semiconductors, as well as hydrogen and offshore wind power. 

The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, welcomed a large number of dignitaries and economic missions from Belgium. I myself had the privilege of visiting the Belgian Pavilion, which was a huge success, and I was able to experience its rich culture and vibrancy. 

I am convinced that such a wide range of exchanges is what strengthens the ties between the two countries. At this 160th anniversary milestone, I sincerely hope that the friendly relations between our countries will deepen further. As the president of the Japan-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship League, I will do my utmost to raise bilateral relations to a higher level.

It is with great anticipation that we enter this commemorative year to celebrate 160 years of friendship, long-term commitments, mutual respect and trust, and common achievements. 

I would like to warmly thank the Belgian and Japanese companies who enthusiastically brought their support to these celebrations, allowing us to build a varied and ambitious program in Japan. I am very grateful for their commitment to our bilateral relations. 

I would also like to thank the associations in Japan that bring together Belgians and Japanese and cement our mutual knowledge and cooperation: the Japan-Belgium Society (JBS), under the patronage of HIH Prince Hitachi, the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ), the Belgium-Japan Academic Society (BJAS) and the Japanese Association for Belgian Studies (JABS).  

Finally, my thanks go to all of those who participate in the organization of these commemorations, be it at the Embassy of Belgium in Tokyo and its Regional offices, at the Embassy of Japan in Brussels, at the universities, the cultural institutions, in the Japanese and Belgian governments and administrations or in the private sector. 

This is a collective and collaborative effort that brings us even closer, in the spirit of the friendship between Japan and Belgium.