2018 New Year Message from the Consul General
2018/1/9
I wish everyone a happy new year 2018.
Last year we witnessed a number of international and domestic changes, ranging from the finalisation of the negotiations on the Japan-EU EPA to terrorism incidents, including those in Europe.
This year is expected to bring positive changes to the world. In Japan, the year 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. It was a turning point in Japan’s formation as a nation-state and Japan went through a dramatic social and political upheaval. What made this change possible was the young people’s power, which made Japanese society adaptable enough to prepare for the change.
As First Minister Nicola Sturgeon mentioned in her New Year Speech, the year 2018 is Scotland’s Year of Young People. In order to invest in the future, young people hold the key. The Abe administration in Japan is aiming at creating a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged. Just like those in Scotland, we believe that we can change our future by investing in and supporting young peoples’ talent.
Let us keep our mind open to welcome the new, and yet, remain humble enough to learn from the past. I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity for the year 2018.
Last year we witnessed a number of international and domestic changes, ranging from the finalisation of the negotiations on the Japan-EU EPA to terrorism incidents, including those in Europe.
This year is expected to bring positive changes to the world. In Japan, the year 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. It was a turning point in Japan’s formation as a nation-state and Japan went through a dramatic social and political upheaval. What made this change possible was the young people’s power, which made Japanese society adaptable enough to prepare for the change.
As First Minister Nicola Sturgeon mentioned in her New Year Speech, the year 2018 is Scotland’s Year of Young People. In order to invest in the future, young people hold the key. The Abe administration in Japan is aiming at creating a society in which all citizens are dynamically engaged. Just like those in Scotland, we believe that we can change our future by investing in and supporting young peoples’ talent.
Let us keep our mind open to welcome the new, and yet, remain humble enough to learn from the past. I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity for the year 2018.