It has caused me to love Japan and the Japanese.

I just have to think of all the many people I met during "Italy in Japan 2001" at the exhibitions, the meetings, and the events that were organized that year as part of the program. It was probably the most important program of events that Italy has ever organized abroad and it was made possible by the excellent collaboration between the governments and society in Japan and Italy.

It has been an honor for me to be international adviser of the Praemium Imperiale of Japan for almost a decade. This initiative in the field of contemporary art is gradually taking on a global significance comparable with that of the Nobel Prize.

All of this is due to the will and far-sightedness of the Imperial Family, and the commitment of the Japan Arts Association which has been working for more than a century to raise awareness of Japanese art in the world.

There are equally important economic reasons that convince me that we must continue to strengthen the dialogue between our business communities.

I was one of the promoters of the Italy-Japan Business Group in the late 1980s, and I am now joint chairman. This group has continued to make a remarkable, patient effort to create dialogue, mutual trust and opportunities for business and corporate agreements between businessmen and representatives of our countries' financial communities.

Above all the Japanese who have taught us that things take time if you want results.

And I am convinced that investing in the medium and long-term to create knowledge, mutual trust and business is the best type of investment.

What is your assessment of the current state of Italian-Japanese diplomatic and business relations?

Diplomatic relations look excellent. What is more, relations are also good with some Italian regional authorities which now have considerable autonomy, even in the field of international cooperation.

A year ago, one of the guests at the Tokyo meeting of the Italy-Japan Business Group was the president of the Regional Council of Lombardy, who brought a sweeping proposal for cultural and business activities to Japan with him.

We can say that Italian companies -- trading companies, as well as industrial joint ventures and service companies -- are now quite well represented in Japan.

It is however a surprise to see that the percentage of Japanese investment in Italy is still modest. I realize that companies (both foreign and Italian) wishing to start up new initiatives have to face greater bureaucratic complications in Italy than in other countries.

But Italy remains one of the strongest economies in the West, with the monetary solidity of the euro, which is an element of inestimable value. And it has a satisfactory quality of life and of work.

I hope that Japanese investors and companies come to realize this more than they have in the past.