Japan-Switzerland Relations
Visit to Switzerland by Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan
(Saturday, June 15)



1. Visit to Japanese School in Zurich
Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko visited the Japanese School of Zurich. She was welcomed by the head of the steering committee and the principals, and received an explanation about the school and made a tour of the school. She then received a warm welcome speech from a student representative at the welcome event in the schoolyard overlooking Uster Castle, watched a Japanese drum performance by students of the Saturday school and a soran-bushi (traditional Japanese dance) performance by students of the Day school. Mrs. Kishida played the drum with students and answered many questions the students asked. Mrs. Kishida expressed her hope that the broad perspective and Japanese language education acquired at the school would serve as a bridge between Japan and Switzerland in the future. Mrs. Kishida also conveyed Prime Minister Kishida’s message to the students encouraging them to be bright, energetic and to live freely.
2. Dinner and discussion with Japanese women working in Switzerland
Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. KISHIDA Yuko met with Japanese women who are active in the business, educational, and cultural fields in Switzerland. Mrs. KISHIDA exchanged views with the participants, who serve as bridges between Japan and Switzerland on their activities in various fields, the concept of work-life balance in Japan and Switzerland, education, and relationship between the two countries.
The Japanese School of Zurich is located in the city of Uster in the Canton of Zurich, where the largest number of Japanese residents reside. The school operates a Day school and a Saturday school under the management of a steering committee formed by people related to local Japanese companies.
The Day school has 18 students and the Saturday school has 184 students.