The Japan-Spain Business Circle will form part of the Organizing Committee for the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation between Japan and Spain.

Next year, 2018, marks the 150th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation between Japan and Spain, the event that initiated diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. Because of this, the Embassy of Japan in Spain has decided to form an Organizing Committee in Spain to carry out activities aimed at promoting a large number of events commemorating the 150th anniversary in Spain.

On June 30, the Committee was organized and held its first meeting at the Residence of the Japan’s Ambassador to Spain. Jorge Lasheras, chairman of the Japan-Spain Business Circle, participated in the event as the representative of CEJE, one of the entities that will take part in the committee. Lasheras addressed all in attendance and took advantage of the gathering to discuss CEJE’s activities, and to state that “it is an honor to be able to participate actively on this Committee, which is working in harmony with CEJE to promote economic and cultural relations between Japan and Spain.”

The Organizing Committee in Spain for the 150th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Spain includes the following members:

Chairman of the Organizing Committee:
     Kiyoshi Azuma (President of Mitsubishi España S.A.U.)

Honorific Chairman:
     Masashi Mizukami (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Spain)

Members of the Organizing Committee (in alphabetical order in Spanish):
     Association of Japanese Companies Shacho Kai in Madrid
     Japanese Community Association in Madrid
     Association of Japanese Entrepreneurs in Catalonia (Suiyo-kai Barcelona)
     Association of Japanese Entrepreneurs in Spain (from Madrid) (Suiyo-kai Madrid)
     Hispano-Japanese Tourism Association
     Asia House
     Nippon House Barcelona
     Japan-Spain Business Circle
     Spain-Japan Council Foundation
     Japan-Madrid Foundation
     JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Madrid
     JNTO (Japan National Tourist Organization) Madrid
     General Directorate for North America, Asia and the Pacific,
     Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

Secretariat:
     Embassy of Japan in Spain (together with the Consulate of Japan in Las Palmas and the Honorary General Consul of Japan in Sevilla)
     General Consulate of Japan in Barcelona

In order to organize and publicize commemorative activities and promote participation in them, an official 150th Anniversary page will be created.