Japan will always stand by BiH
This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this occasion, I would like to take a retrospectivelook at these 20 years of relations between our two countries.
First, Japan hasfirmly and continuously supported the reconstruction and development of BiHfor these past two decades. Our support can be described as following these principles: we have no political motivations; we wish to contribute to ethnic reconciliation; we want to provide direct benefit to the people; and we seek an impartial distribution of support for both entities.
Take some examples of our grant aid in the past. We provided 155 public busses in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar; donated music instruments for the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra; installed X ray medical devices and ambulance vehiclesto many BiH public hospitals across the country. Through these aids we rehabilitated totally 72 public school buildings. We also provided flood assistance in 2014, amounting to 26 million KM. We have another scheme of assistance is grass-roots grant assistance. This small size of aid areimplemented mainly in the fields of health care, education, water supply, and demining. In total more than 200 projects benefitted.
Our total assistance to date in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 1 billion KM. After the EU and the United States, Japan is one of the biggest donor countries,at the same level as the Nordic countries, Switzerland and others. Today I pledge to you that we will continue our assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Japan will always stand by BiH.
Japan congratulates BiH for submitting its application for EU membership. My country strongly supportsBiH’s European path and your NATO membership, though we are not a member neither EU nor NATO. As a member of the Peace Implementing Council Steering Board, Japan also has made many efforts in support of political stability and development in BiH.
In 2008 the premises housing the Embassy of Japan was officially openedin Bistrik, Sarajevo. Since the outset, we have engaged actively in recovery and development assistance and cultural activities. On this 20th anniversary occasion, we wish to turn a new page in our relations and push forward even more to strengthen Japanese companies’ investment and direct business activities in the BiH market. I believe that BiH has strong economic potential in such fields as the automotive industry, energy, tourism, and agriculture. Unfortunately, many Japanese companies still have some negative perceptions, because they believe that BiH is still a war-torn country.To remove such erroneous stereotypes, I intend to organize a Japanese business mission to BiH for the first time, which will take placein October this year in cooperation with JETRO, FTC, and FIPA. I hope that this mission will create a better understanding of the business environmentin BiH among Japanese companiesand will lead to direct Japanese investment here.
Football is very popular and is regarded as the national sport here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also has brought us, Japan and BiH,much closer. The purpose of the rehabilitation of the Cultural and Sports Center “Kantarevac”in Mostar is expected to be completed this year. The purpose of this project is to facilitateethnic reconciliationamong local children through sports. This project was initiated by the former captain of the Japanese national football team, Mr. Miyamoto. He believes that children from different ethnic group can overcome difficulties and nourishfriendships through football.
There is one more football connection between our two countries. Mr. Ivica Osim, a BiH national hero, used to be the Japanese national football team coach,and now Mr. Halilhodic is the coach of our national team. Many of my compatriotsknow BiH via football, andwe owe a lot to these two famous Bosnian football figuresfor the contribution they have made to improving football inmy country. Finally, BiH’snational team will be invited to play in Japan forthe Kirin Cup this June. I hope that many BiH football fans will come to visit and enjoy Japan at that time.
The bilateral relations between Japan and BiH areexcellent, and high-level visits are expected this year in both directions. Not only state level relations but also municipal relations are steadily improving. I am pleased to know that Sarajevo city and Hiroshima city are now seeking to conclude a declaration of exchange and collaboration.
Many Japanese cultural events are coming this year to BiH. It started with the Japanese traditional music “Shamisen”concert which was completed successfully both in Sarajevo and Banja Luka in April. In MayJapanese contemporaryarchitecture exposition called“Parallel Nippon”was organized at National Gallery in Sarajevo.In memory of late Ms. JadrankaStojaković, famous singer,aJapanese traditional music B-Come concert will be held earlyJune.AJapanese drum “taiko” concert and an Okinawa traditional dance concert also are coming in the autumn. I hope that many Bosnian people will join us at these events and enjoy the culture of my country.
Three years have passed since the Japanese language course was launchedat Sarajevo University. The number of Japanese learners as well as Japanese-speaking Bosniansis increasing. The firstJapanese language certification examination was held in December last year.
As Japan’s Ambassador to BiH, I am pleased to know that people-to-people exchanges are maturing. I feel so privileged to represent my country and fulfillsuch an important role, which is to further strengthen the good relations between our two countries.
Finally, let me frankly express my impressions of BiH after being here for one year. BiH has a beautiful natural heritage,many geographical advantages and economic potential described above, but I believe that its potential is not yet fully realized. Unfortunately, BiH’sinfrastructureis not at the same standard as your neighbors. Should BH government save budget slimming public sector, the surplus might be allocated for capital investment. Good infrastructure, such as roads and highways, is a key element to attract foreign investment. I believe that there is a great opportunity here, and that a sense of urgency is needed.
Secondly, I believethat introducing a merit system in both the public and private sectors is of crucialimportance. BiH institutions need more transparency and empowerment. The younger generation in particular should feel that there is equalityin the system and also an opportunity for everyone to advance, based on merit. This will increase their hope and their willingness to work hard for the future of BiH.
Like it or not, we are now living in an age ofsevere global competition. BiH has great economic potential, and it is important for BiH to move into the first tier among European nations. BH has the potential to do so. Other countries are strivingand working hard to develop, so BiH cannot afford to spend time for fighting over ethnical and political disputes. I sincerely hope that all sectors of BiH society -- politicians, government officials, business people, society leaders, and others -- can cooperate together, to realize your country’s potential, and to builda greater, more prosperous, and happier nation for everyone.
Kazuya Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan in Bosnia and Herzegovina