Ambassador’s Diary

Some cynics say that a good diplomat is someone who can tell another person to “go to hell” in such a nice, friendly and encouraging way that the victim is thrilled and actually looks forward to the journey only to realize what a horrible place it is upon arrival. 更に読む

from Ambassador Arne Walther 更に読む

We all know that in our age of globalization, what an increasing number of people first think of when they hear the term ”Four Seasons” is either a pizza, a hotel or Vivaldi, or any combination of the three. 更に読む

Mindful of the disaster caused by the forces of nature in Japan this Spring and the acts of terror committed by an evil human-being in Norway this Summer, both of which brought national sorrow to our countries and people which we will carry into the future, relations between Norway and Japan could return to an exciting multi-faceted range of activity with the Autumn season. 更に読む

2011 will be remembered as year of tragedy for both our countries and people. For Norway, an unprecedented one-man made human atrocity. For Japan, an unprecedented natural catastrophe caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the tsunami. Extending both official and people-to-people feelings of sympathy and support to each other and sharing our grief with each other, have strengthened the... 更に読む

My third Japanese summer is as hot and humid as the two previous ones. But feels much more so when air conditioners are turned off in offices and homes to save energy in solidarity with everyone else in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake that brought with it a monster tsunami and shut down of nuclear reactors. 更に読む

Today is Norway’s National Day. Rather than celebrating the occasion with military parades and political manifestations, we celebrate our Constitution and independence with parades of happy children waving flags, cheering their local school bands, singing our national anthem and honouring our King. A true celebration of peace, joy and optimism for the future. With ice-cream, waffles and hot-dog... 更に読む

Norway has a polar identity – both in the Arctic North and Antarctic South. We have the pioneer’s pride at being in the international forefront of polar exploration as well as of commercial and scientific activity in the Polar Regions. Not only in our Arctic “back yard”, but also further away, in fact as far away as you can get from Norway, in the Antarctic. Quite natural for sea-faring... 更に読む

Every day, I have the inspiring privilege of meeting Japanese citizens from all walks of life, who not only are interested in Norway, but who are also making their individual and institutional contribution to strengthening the ties between our two countries and peoples. The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit is a supreme and Royal acknowledgment bestowed upon foreign and Norwegian nationals for... 更に読む

More than eight million cubic metres of timber are cut from the ample forests of Norway every year. Wood to build our houses. Wood to burn in fire places in our homes to comfort us in the cold of winter. Wood that becomes paper that become books. Wood from which stylish and comfortable Norwegian furniture is made. Some of which is exported all the way to Japan. That is one story about Norwegian... 更に読む

Superman? Not necessarily. And definitely not this time. 更に読む

Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland highlighted gender equality and the political role of women under very special circumstances during a visit to Tokyo. 更に読む

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence of the Norwegian Parliament concluded its successful visit to Japan 20-24 September by visiting Hiroshima. 更に読む

I am far away from Tokyo on vacation in Oslo. And yet so near, because Haruki Murakami is here in Oslo too, on vacation. Oslo has welcomed the famous Japanese author of “Norwegian Wood” as an international cultural mega-star. 更に読む

It was a great honour to be invited by the prestigious National Press Club of Japan to present some Norwegian perspectives on sustainable development on 20 July. This was a unique opportunity to highlight and reflect on issues that are important to both Norway and Japan. Issues, where we are like-minded and co-operate bilaterally as well as on the international stage. Issues, where Norway and... 更に読む

Seafood is something very special that uniquely ties Norway and Japan close together.  Bordering the sea, Norwegians and Japanese have great tradition in not only in catching fish, but also in eating fish. And we do eat a lot of seafood in Norway. So much, in fact, that I am totally impressed by the Japanese consumer eating on average three times as much fish as we do.   Japan is, i 更に読む

Celebrated with joy around the world, spring is a season of new beginnings, renewal and hope, especially for Norwegians after a long, dark, cold winter. As the “sakura” heralds spring in Japan, Norwegians take delight in the budding of leaves and the flowering of trees that unfold the majesty of nature. “Norway – Nature’s Beauty and Bounty” was the theme of the Garden of Norway, one of ten... 更に読む

I was delighted to revisit the beautiful island of Enoshima two weeks ago for the 9th Annual Norway Friendship Yacht Race. And to celebrate the passion that Japanese and Norwegians share in sailing the seas. Walking over the bridge connecting the sacred island to the mainland, after a quick and comfortable ride on the train from Tokyo, I had two additional and special reasons to be happy. 更に読む

Norway and Japan are the forefront of international efforts for disarmament. Our governments are committed and active. The processes and types of munitions are many. Norwegians and Japanese people are in full support. 更に読む

This morning, I am not thinking of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Nor of the happy detail that Norway, yesterday, received her 8th gold medal. Nor am I thinking of the fact that complete happiness for a Norwegian is a state of mind, when not only our cross-country skiers, but also when our Olympic team in total receive more gold medals than any other nation. 更に読む