Address from Consul General Takaoka: “Probus” meeting in Auchterarder
2019/11/15
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you very much Auchterarder PROBUS Club for giving me the precious opportunity to address this distinguished audience in this very Scottish setting.
Later I will introduce myself by talking about my career experience but for the moment, let me simply say that I am a diplomat and as such, I know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
I also know that giving a talk after such a delicious lunch is always a formidable task in the face of understandable and irresistible temptation to golden slumbers. Therefore, at the outset of my speech, let me summarize what I am going to say today in only three sentences.
First, Japan and Scotland are natural friends.
Secondly, this natural friendship is destined to grow in the future.
Thirdly, this friendship of ours has significant meaning for the entire world.
Those are the three points I wanted to emphasize. In addition, I want to caution you on one more thing. In order not to disturb this pleasant and cozy atmosphere, I wanted to avoid the R word and B word today, but it proved to be difficult. Anyway, I will use those words very carefully, so bear with me.
Thank you very much Auchterarder PROBUS Club for giving me the precious opportunity to address this distinguished audience in this very Scottish setting.
Later I will introduce myself by talking about my career experience but for the moment, let me simply say that I am a diplomat and as such, I know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
I also know that giving a talk after such a delicious lunch is always a formidable task in the face of understandable and irresistible temptation to golden slumbers. Therefore, at the outset of my speech, let me summarize what I am going to say today in only three sentences.
First, Japan and Scotland are natural friends.
Secondly, this natural friendship is destined to grow in the future.
Thirdly, this friendship of ours has significant meaning for the entire world.
Those are the three points I wanted to emphasize. In addition, I want to caution you on one more thing. In order not to disturb this pleasant and cozy atmosphere, I wanted to avoid the R word and B word today, but it proved to be difficult. Anyway, I will use those words very carefully, so bear with me.