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Kawai: In addition to commodity trading, we should promote mutual investments, especially Norwegian investments in Japan, in order to exploit new Norwegian technology and know-how. The Japanese can also increase investments in Norway. Another important area of joint work in the future is science and technology. During the State visit of the Norwegian King and Queen to Japan earlier this year, the two governments agreed to negotiate a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The desired increase of such exchange requires the enhancement of people-to-people contact and a deeper cultural understanding of both nations. It is interesting to note the signs of increasing contacts among the artists and musicians of the two countries. I would like to encourage the increase exchanges of people, especially the youth. I also think bilateral cooperation on measures to meet the needs of the ageing society, gender equality, and the strengthening of political cooperation on overseas development assistance, conflict solutions, and UN reform will contribute to building up a closer relationship. What business sectors continue to attract Japanese interest? What sectors will be of importance in the future? Traditional business sectors like shipping and fisheries will continue to attract Japanese interest. They are related to the fundamental nature of Japanese people and won't change easily in the future. Sectors of importance for the future should be advanced-technology related areas in which Norway has a competitive edge. For instance, tele-medicine, marine biotechnology, materials for new energy or for environmentally friendly products, furniture and IT software. Both countries have beautiful natural resources and rich traditional cultures, so tourism has a great potential to be further exploited. We must not forget the development of Japanese interests in the oil industry in Norway. Norway is the second biggest exporter of oil in the world and has large deposits of natural gas that will be in production for about 100 years. I point out to Norwegians that more Japanese participation in oil and natural gas production in Norway can expand opportunities elsewhere in the world. As seen by the recent state visit by HM King Harald to Japan in March earlier this year, there is a strong mutual respect between Norway's Royal Family and the Emperor and Empress of Japan. How significant is this relationship in promoting ties between the two countries? The Japanese Imperial Family and the Norwegian Royal Family have had a friendly relationship ever since the coronation of King Haakon VII in 1905, the year Norway became independent. Japan, incidentally, was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with this new kingdom. Close imperial-royal exchanges have contributed not only to tightening the friendship between the two peoples but also to strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, cultural and even technological and scientific fields. Taking advantage of King Olav V's state visit to Japan in 1983, economic relations between both countries were focused more. A delegation composed of Norwegian business leaders accompanied the King. This later resulted in the Norwegian trade campaign "Project Japan' in 1986. The present Emperor and Empress's official visit to Norway in 1985 also promoted bilateral exchanges and friendships. During this year's State Visit of HM King Harald, more than 220 Norwegian government officials, businessmen and academics visited Japan and initiated a variety of programs to promote exchanges with their Japanese counterparts. I am trying to assist them in following up these programs. These facts bear witness to a unique bond between the Royal and Imperial families - a bond which has grown and is still growing and which significantly assists in the promotion of a thriving relationship for the future. What kind of initiatives is your embassy taking to promote Japan further in Norway? HM King Harald's and HM Queen Sonja's State Visit to Japan last March cultivated much renewed interest in Japan here in Norway. My first job is to increase exchanges, both economic and cultural. I am placing importance on the expansion of mutual investments. Investments are more difficult than trade in goods but they will better enhance contact and the mutual understanding of the peoples. Our Embassy places a high priority on information activities. We are improving the Embassy's web site on the internet so that Norwegian people can gather information more easily. The embassy staff, including myself, travel actively in Norway to spread information on Japan. The Embassy has also taken initiatives to promote economic, scientific and technological cooperation. In cooperation with the JETRO office in Oslo, the Japanese Embassy arranges economic seminars, inviting Japanese and Norwegian economists. These seminars aim to promote more mutual trade and investment. In scientific fields, the Embassy has contact with the Norwegian Research Council, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and other relevant institutions to further promote relevant cooperation. NTNU, supported by the Embassy, will arrange 'Japan 2002' next autumn, a comprehensive program covering science and technology, culture and art. Japan and Norway will have a centennial celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations in November 2005. This will provide a unique opportunity for us to enhance bilateral relations. The Embassy has just begun making a blueprint of this exciting anniversary. We would appreciate any proposals and cooperation from the readers of the Japan Times.
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