Closing Remarks by Ichiro Aisawa,
Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
at the Ceremony Commemorating
the 150th Anniversary of Japan-US Relationship

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you very much today. Blessed with fine weather, we were able to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Japan-U.S. relationship with a wonderful ceremony.

On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which had the pleasure of supporting the organizing group, I would like to extend our heartfelt, deep appreciation to all the participants of today's ceremony, including Ambassador Howard H. Baker, Jr. and Prime Minister Koizumi.

As mentioned in the statements by Prime Minister Koizumi, Ambassador Baker, and the message of President Bush, Japan and the U.S. have nurtured a brilliant 150-year history. By overcoming a difficult period, Japan and the U.S. have built a bilateral relationship which is indispensable for the prosperity and stability of the world, a relationship with responsibility.

I would like to express sincere respect and gratitude to those great leaders who came before us. Now we have just listened to the speeches by representatives of students from our countries. It is now our great responsibility to hand over our wonderful history to the next generation.

I would like to say once again how grateful we are for being able to hold such a marvelous ceremony. By thanking Chairman Okawara and the steering committee members, Mayor Nakada, Yokohama-City, and all of those who rendered their assistance including the Kanagawa Security Police, I would like to conclude my remarks.

Thank you.