We are, indeed, attracted to the Polar Regions. The largest wilderness areas in the world. Long protected by ice and cold from excessive human interference. These regions are as unique as their environmental value is immeasurable. Their natural resources are immense. Norway has long-standing tradition, presence and interests in both Polar Regions.
This polar identity has passed from generation to generation and sparked polar passion among Norwegians young and old, male and female. You can find this polar identity even in the genes of the staff of the Embassy of Norway in Japan. In polar passion, we have renamed our assembly hall, which houses everything from seminars and concerts to weddings, film nights and ping-pong tournaments, the “Artic Hall. I ask you. What passion would you feel with its former name “the Multi-functional Hall”?
I do not know what it takes to become a national hero in Japan. But I do know that the most certain way to become a national hero in Norway, but perhaps not the easiest way, is to pursue the polar passion. We have many national polar heroes and national polar heroines as well.
Fridtjof Nansen was the first man to cross Greenland on skis. He almost succeeded in his attempt to be the first man to reach the North Pole in 1895. Instead, the American Robert Peary could claim that honour fourteen years later. He was born in 1861. This year we are celebrating his 150th birthday.
With that North Pole prize taken, Roald Amundsen, another Norwegian with polar passion and also wanting a polar first prize, became the first man in history to reach the South Pole, planting the Norwegian flag there, beating Britain’s Robert Scott in the epic dog-sled race in 1911. We are celebrating the centenary of that feat this year. He was also the first to sail through the North West Passage in one ship and determined the position of the magnetic North Pole. He later reached the geographic North Pole more comfortably by air in a zeppelin in 1926, thus becoming the first man to have reached both poles.
For Norwegians, a polar adventure on skis, testing our endurance and skills against the extremes of nature, is what really counts. Not to be outdone in the gender perspective, a contemporary Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen became the first woman to reach the South Pole on skis alone and unassisted in 1994.
The melting of Arctic ice unleashes new potential for commercial activity, and also concern for its environmental vulnerability. Its resources of oil and gas are great. And Arctic fishing grounds are plentiful. The Northeast Passage brings Norway and Japan closer, shortening substantially your sailing routes to and from Europe.
Norway is centre-stage in these developments as an Arctic Ocean coastal state with longstanding experience and tradition. Norway is responsible for managing vast areas in the Arctic. A responsibility that we take very seriously in light not only of our great fishing and petroleum interests, but also in light of our alert awareness of concerns related to the environment and ecological balance in the area. The High North is our most important area of strategic focus in the years ahead, on land and on our offshore continental shelf.
We are happy to see Japan as one of thirteen nations with permanent research .bases in our Arctic archipelago Svalbard – half way between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole.
Norway, on her part, would like to see Japan as a permanent observer in the Arctic Council. We want to co-operate even more closely with Japan as you take active part in Arctic developments related to research, energy and shipping, not least because of what you can offer and share in terms of Arctic and Antarctic research competence and activity
Norway’s Embassy in Japan has the priority objective of doing what we can to fuel the polar passion that Norwegians and Japanese share.
Arne Walther
March 2011