Celebrating the 30th Anniversar of Norwegian Salmon in Japan, 19 October 2010

Welcoming remarks

Friends and fans of fresh Norwegian fjord salmon - A cordial welcome to you all! 

Norway is a Kingdom. Our Monarch His Majesty King Harald is the King of the Norwegian people and of our country.

Salmon is the King of Norwegian Fish.

We are here to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first exports of fresh Norwegian salmon to Japan. What better way to celebrate and to honour salmon than eating it in a variety of ways – sushi, sashimi and Norwegian style – along with other Norwegian seafood delicacies at this evening’s reception in the Embassy?

We have several journalists here with us for this unique celebration of Norwegian salmon. From both Norwegian and Japanese media. It is a challenge to make a speech in front of journalists. Married to a journalist, I know that they have heard everything before. And they do not always appreciate hearing things again and again.

I have therefore commissioned some independent research to be able to tell our friends from the media this evening things they have never heard before. The figures I am about to mention were telephoned to me from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council in Tromsø just ten minutes ago. This is privileged news for you all.

Do you know how many individual fresh salmon and salmon trout that have been exported from Norway to Japan in these past thirty years?

To break the silence, I will tell you – 210 million individuals. One and three quarters the population of Japan.

If their total weight of 876 000 tonnes is difficult to grasp, just look at me and imagine ten million men my size in front of you. That should give you a memorable picture of the amount of fresh Norwegian salmon that Japanese consumers have enjoyed these past thirty years.

That is not all. My scientists in the field have done even more serious research for my welcoming remarks this evening and asked the average salmon, who he or she would like to eaten by – in general and especially on special occasions such as this anniversary celebration.

All the salmon interviewed gave, independently, the same reply. If they had to be eaten outside of the scenic beauty of Norway, they would want to be eaten in Japan by Japanese - the most quality conscious consumers of seafood in the world.

Happily, many salmon have been granted their wish and given a one-way ticket to Japan on comfortable direct flights from Norway. There are many more standing in line - begging and eager to come.

And Norwegian salmon have also a wider perspective for their existence and fate. I know that they are happy for the role they play in increasing the health and intelligence of dedicated salmon eaters around the world. And since we are honoured to have a prominent Norwegian politician with us this evening, Mrs Erna Solberg, leader of the Conservative Party and Member of Parliament, let me also add that Norwegian salmon are all proud of the role they are playing in the broader political perspective as well, increasing both trade and goodwill, and strengthening the many fields of bilateral co-operation between Norway and Japan.

In other words, the mission and accomplishments of fresh Norwegian fjord salmon are those of a true diplomat. And they taste much better than the average Norwegian ambassador. Not only that, they also taste much better than cousin salmon from other countries.

The story of delivery of fresh Norwegian salmon to dedicated Japanese consumers will continue long past this 30th Anniversary. I am sure that it will continue forever and forever.

Many people have contributed to this on-going success story. But I think one person has done more than anyone else. You know who I am thinking of. He was with you at the Seminar this afternoon. And he is with us this evening. We would like honour a man who was Head of the Norway Trade Council here for 30 years and is still active in promoting business ties between Norway and Japan.

Niwa-san – please receive our appreciation for all that you have done and are doing. This aquarelle painting is by an artist from Northern Norway – an area home to spectacular nature, to Mid-Night Sun in summer and Northern Lights in winter - the aquacradle of our seafood exports. 
 
Aquaculture is not only about salmon. For me, this aquarelle and scene from our aquacradle are other aspects of aquaculture. And not to forget, so definitely is also aquavit! An important part of Norwegian aquaculture.

Let us then in Niwa-san’s honour raise our small glasses of aquavit and empty them with a resounding “kampai”!