Япония
Commemorative Events in Japan on the Occasion of the 150th Anniversary of Russian-Japanese Interstate Relations
Unofficial translation from Russian
PRESS RELEASE
In the Japanese towns of Fuji (on January 15), Shimoda (on March 6), as also in Heda village (on March 12), closely associated with the history of Russia-Japan relations, commemorative events were held to mark the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-Japan interstate relations. The ceremonies had been organized by the mayoralties of these towns and village and by the authorities of Shizuoka prefecture and the Japan-Russian Society, with the support and active participation of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Japan and the representation of Roszarubezhcentr.
Monuments were unveiled on the central embankments of Fuji, Shimoda and Heda in honor of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-Japan interstate relations. The monuments represent massive granite slabs on which is cut out in the Russian and Japanese languages a brief history of the mission of Vice Admiral Putyatin, which culminated in the signing of the first bilateral treaty.
Those attending the ceremonies were members of the Japanese parliament, Japan-Russia Society president and board chairman Y. Hatoyama and T. Saito, the mayors of Fuji, Shimoda and Heda, members of the legislative assemblies of Shizuoka prefecture and the aforesaid populated areas, and numerous representatives of the public.
In a formal atmosphere specialized exhibitions dedicated to the Putyatin mission were opened and festive concerts took place.
Officials from the Russian embassy in Japan took part in all the events.
The events in Fuji, Shimoda and Heda were widely covered by local television and the press and passed in a warm and friendly atmosphere under the banner of the strengthening of Russia-Japan relations.
March 15, 2005