Foreign Minister Nakasone Hosted Iftar

September 14, 2009
Japanese

Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone invited the Ambassadors of Islamic nations and other officials, including Chief Cabinet Secretary H.E. Mr. Takeo Kawamura, to host an Iftar (fast-breaking dinner during Holy Ramadan Month) at the Ikura Guest House in the evening of September 14 (Mon). The various diplomatic missions that attended offered food of their respective countries.
Minister Nakasone began by stating that Islam’s tolerance of diversity will contribute greatly to creating a world where people can coexist peacefully and safely. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura said that he hoped this Iftar hosted by the government would further develop the friendly relations between Japan and the Islamic nations. Speaking as a representative of Ambassadors of Islamic nations in Japan, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic in Japan H.E. Mr. Jean Christian Obame said that forming a partnership is important to achieve peace and prosperity in an era of intolerance and lack of understanding. On this note, he said that he was pleased with the remarkable progress regarding the “win-win” relationship between Japan and the Islamic nations.
In Japan, previous Iftars were hosted in September 2008 by then-Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda, in October 2007 by then-Minister of Defense Yuriko Koike, in October 2006 by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and in October 2005 by then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. Some thirty representatives from the Islamic Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo participated in this dinner.

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