HM Sends Message To Japanese Emperor
By Khairunnisa Ibrahim

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bandar Seri Begawan His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send congratulatory messages to His Imperial Majesty Akihito, the Emperor of Japan, and to Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on the occasion of the emperor's birthday today.

In his messages, His Majesty expressed satisfaction with the warm and friendly relations and deep understanding between Brunei Darussalam and Japan and hoped that this would be maintained and enhanced in the future for the good of the two countries and people.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also hoped that His Imperial Majesty Akihito would always remain in good health and happiness and that the people of Japan always enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

In a message to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, His Majesty congratulated the prime minister, the, government and people of Japan on the occasion of the emperor's birthday. His Majesty wished the prime minister continue to be in good health and happiness and the people of Japan continue to be in prosperity.

. Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also sent a similar message to his counterpart Taro Aso, on the occasion of Japan's National Day.

In the message, His Royal Highness expressed his great pleasure working with Minister Taro Aso and was pleased that the much-valued friendship between Brunei Darussalam and Japan had grown in strength over the years. His Royal Highness said he looked forward to many opportunities in the coming years to enhance this friendship and cooperation both bilaterally and as partners in the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Hashimoto Itsuo, on the eve of the emperor's birthday yesterday, remarked that Brunei's royal family and the Japanese imperial household had long had a close and warm relationship with each other, with frequent exchanges on various matters between the two.

"There is a strong sense of friendship between the two ruling families of Brunei Darussalam and Japan," Ambassador Hashimoto said yesterday in an interview with The Brunei Times at the Japanese embassy.

Ambassador Hashimoto also noted the remarkable progress made by the government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam and its Japanese counterpart in the rapid achievement of a provisional economic partnership agreement.

The ambassador said the Brunei-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement represented a remarkable feat of both countries as it was reached at a record speed. Formal discussions had only started in May this year, noted Ambassador Hashimoto, who also pointed out that similar efforts with other countries took longer to reach. "This symbolises and embodies the joint effort of all relevant ministries and officials," he added.

He also praised the leadership and guidance of His Majesty and the relevant Bruneian officials for making such advancement possible. He said he was impressed with the progress.

However, the finer details had yet to be finalised, stressed Ambassador Hashimoto. "We still have some way to go before the agreement can be put into practice," he said. "It is not an easy job. The bilateral discussions to lay out the basics of the agreement need to be serious, tough and practical. They need to be handled with knowledge, courage and foresight by both sides," he said. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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