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TRH visit Japan - the visit will promote low carbon future and celebrates 150 years of diplomatic relations
27th October 2008
The Prince of Wales will call for “nothing less than an urgent, full-scale transformation to a low-carbon society” in a keynote speech on the first full day of his official visit to Japan.
Addressing an audience of business leaders and media in Tokyo (on Tuesday 28th October), His Royal Highness will reflect on the joint work already being done by Japanese and British scientists, including some of the world’s most advanced climate simulations, and emphasise the important steps, which leading G8 countries need to take in the global battle against climate change.
The Prince, accompanied by his wife The Duchess of Cornwall, will spend five days in Japan on an official tour which marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United Kingdom. The UK is the number one destination for Japanese investment in Europe and Japan is the UK’s largest export market after Europe and the US.
The UK Ambassador to Japan, Mr David Warren, said today:
“The relationship between the UK and Japan continues to flourish. In this special year as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, I know that a great many people in Japan are looking forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to this country”.
Tuesday 28th October
The Prince and Duchess will attend a gala reception in support of UK-Japan 2008, the year long series of events organised by the British Embassy and British Council in Japan to celebrate the 150th anniversary and promote further UK-Japan collaboration. The event will be attended by 500 guests drawn from Japanese cultural, political, scientific and business life.
The Prince will make his speech at the Miraikan Museum in Tokyo on Tuesday (28th October), the first full day of Their Royal Highnesses’ visit. The displays The Prince will view include a huge six meter suspended globe, on the surface of which are 1million LEDs projecting images of the earth from space, and also showing the change in the earth’s temperature from 1901 to 2100. In the museum’s space exploration displays The Prince will see images of the degradation and reforestation of the Indonesian rainforest taken by Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) satellites. The Miraikan Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation leads the way in housing exhibits on Japan’s cutting edge approach to ecological sustainability and is an important learning centre for school children. A museum favourite - ASIMO, the advanced humanoid robot developed by Honda - will also be present to meet The Prince.
Yasushi Ikebe, Science Communicator at the Miraikan Museum said:
“In the midst of the financial crisis that has been shaking the whole world, we are worried that people's interests in environmental issues may subside. We hope that the visit of The Prince of Wales can be a good opportunity to remember the huge impact our lifestyles will have on the future of mankind.”
The Prince and The Duchess will also visit Keio University: Japan’s oldest university – also celebrating 150 years this year - and the first to take overseas students. Students will display design and collaboration projects, including an ecological project to cut down on use of disposable chopsticks. They will also perform Kabuki, a traditional Shinto dance and give a demonstration of Kendo during a special cultural performance in the Old Library.
In advance of their visit, the President of Keio University Professor Yuichiro Anzai said: “We are extremely honoured to welcome The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in this memorable year of 150th anniversary of our university”.
The first full day finishes with a private dinner at the Imperial Palace with Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Wednesday 29th October
The importance of new technology in the battle against climate change will again be emphasised during the Prince’s visit to SHARP’s Research and Development Centre, at Tenri in Nara. There, His Royal Highness will see new environmental technologies, including advanced solar cells, which are also manufactured at Sharp’s UK facilities. The Prince will meet researchers from Sharp Laboratories in Oxford, home to over 100 researchers. During the visit he will also meet young Climate Champions from Japan, engaged in various projects throughout Japan as part of the British Council’s International Climate Champions programme.
Climate Champion Saki Fujiwara said:
“Climate change is an issue that we need to tackle now. As International Climate Champions, we represent a worldwide network of young people who communicate directly to peers and those in the community, encouraging them to speak up, to take action on climate change. We look forward to discussing our activities and the role of young people in dealing with the issue of climate change with The Prince of Wales.”
In Osaka, Her Royal Highness will visit Osaka Prefectural Government to meet Japanese schoolchildren involved in links projects with schools in the UK. The projects form part of a broader Schools Linking Programme involving over 100 schools in Japan and the UK.
Also on Wednesday, The Prince and Duchess will visit the largest wooden building in the world – the stunning Todaiji Temple, built in the mid-8th century and last renovated in 1709. It was constructed to house Japan’s Great Buddha which is itself 1,400 years old, and is so large that five adults can stand in the palm of the Buddha’s hand. The visit, together with visits to the Imperial Treasury next door and the Nara Traditional Craft Museum, aims to emphasise the importance of heritage conservation and restoration as well as the value of passing on traditional craft techniques.
On their return to Tokyo, The Prince and Duchess will meet with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Taro Aso, to further underline the close ties between Japan and the UK.
Thursday 30th October
On his last full day in Japan, The Prince’s programme will again have an environmental theme, when he visits sustainable rural projects in the Prefecture of Nagano.
At the Afan Forest, The Prince will see first-hand how sustainable forestry practices over 22 years have transformed the biodiversity of the 30 hectare site. He will also meet school children learning about forests and wildlife during his visit.
Afan forest is named after the Afan Forest Park in Wales. Bought and managed by the author and environmental campaigner CW Nicol, the Afan Forest has been restored from disused farmland to its native beauty. The forest is now home to 483 species of plants and trees and 70 species of birds, including 10 endangered species.
C.W Nicol MBE said:
“Japan enjoys the riches of the natural environment including draft ice in the north and coral reef in the south, but the destruction of nature has progressed since the era of the rapid growth of the economy. I have been purchasing a wasted forest in Kurohime, Nagano Pefecture for more than 20 years to regenerate it as a biodiversified forest.
“I saw that the site of a coal mine in my homeland Wales was converted into Afan Forest Park. That forest has signed the world's first sister-forest agreement with mine. I sincerely hope that the exchanges between the two island nations will be promoted further through the environment.”
In Nagano, The Prince will also visit the Enmei Tea Factory. Enmei (meaning “prolonged life”) is renowned for its research into the health benefits of traditional ingredients, and uses carefully sourced ingredients for its range of herbal and fruit teas. The Prince will be shown round a demonstration garden before viewing the tea-making processes inside the factory itself.
Before leaving, His Royal Highness will discuss organic farming techniques with a group of local farmers.
Her Royal Highness remain in Tokyo where she will visit the children’s ward of a Tokyo Hospital. Her Royal Highness will observe a pet therapy session for children as well as meeting children and their parents on the ward.
Their Royal Highnesses’ tour to Japan ends on Friday 31st October, when they fly to Brunei Darussalam.