Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ULAANBAATAR433
2007-07-26 00:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Cable title:
VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO
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UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000433
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI EMIN EINV MG JP
SUBJECT: VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
UNCLAS ULAANBAATAR 000433
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI EMIN EINV MG JP
SUBJECT: VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito paid his first-ever
visit to Mongolia July 10 to 17 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of
diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Although purely
ceremonial, the visit was a very important, corner-turning moment in
the context of Japanese-Mongolian bilateral relations, according to
Japanese DCM Kobayashi, a view also held by senior Mongolian
officials. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) At a press conference during his visit, the Crown Prince
expressed his happiness at having made the trip. He spoke of the
deep historical and ethnic ties shared by Mongolia and Japan and the
strengthening of friendly relationships between the countries
through trade, sumo wrestling, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
and the Mongolia-Japan Center. Because he had undergone surgery only
a month prior, the Prince also hastened to assure the press that he
would be careful of his health. DCM Kobayashi noted the eight-day
duration of the Prince's visit was atypical, being roughly twice the
usual duration of a similar visit elsewhere, surprising even the
Imperial Household Staff.
3. (SBU) During his visit, the Crown Prince attended a banquet held
in his honor at President Enkhbayar's residence, was the guest of
honor at Naadam (Mongolia's combination national day and
mini-olympics),participated in a dig for fossils, and visited a
memorial for Japanese World War II prisoners. He also surprised the
audience at a National Symphonic Orchestra concert in Ulaanbaatar by
appearing on stage to accompany the orchestra on the viola.
According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince and President Enkhbayar
formed a deep friendship, and Enkhbayar devoted significant personal
attention and time to the Crown Prince's visit.
4. (U) As noted prior to the visit, the Crown Prince's wife,
Princess Masako, did not accompany the Crown Prince to Mongolia, as
she is still recovering from stress-induced depression that has kept
her from fulfilling most of her official duties for several years.
The announcement that Masako would not accompany the Crown Prince
drew attention from both Japanese and international press.
5. (SBU) According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince, at a reception
at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon his return to
Tokyo, spoke in glowing terms of his visit, and said he was charmed
and impressed at the welcome he had received. He expressed his
desire to make a return trip to Mongolia in the near future.
Kobayashi noted the visit received considerable media coverage both
in Japan and in Mongolia, further elevating the relationship and
expanding contacts of all sorts, official, commercial, social,
cultural, etc. He expects a modest surge in Japanese tourists as
well as businessmen.
MINTON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM AND EAP/J
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID SOCI EMIN EINV MG JP
SUBJECT: VISIT OF JAPANESE CROWN PRINCE NARUHITO
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito paid his first-ever
visit to Mongolia July 10 to 17 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of
diplomatic relationships between the two countries. Although purely
ceremonial, the visit was a very important, corner-turning moment in
the context of Japanese-Mongolian bilateral relations, according to
Japanese DCM Kobayashi, a view also held by senior Mongolian
officials. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) At a press conference during his visit, the Crown Prince
expressed his happiness at having made the trip. He spoke of the
deep historical and ethnic ties shared by Mongolia and Japan and the
strengthening of friendly relationships between the countries
through trade, sumo wrestling, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
and the Mongolia-Japan Center. Because he had undergone surgery only
a month prior, the Prince also hastened to assure the press that he
would be careful of his health. DCM Kobayashi noted the eight-day
duration of the Prince's visit was atypical, being roughly twice the
usual duration of a similar visit elsewhere, surprising even the
Imperial Household Staff.
3. (SBU) During his visit, the Crown Prince attended a banquet held
in his honor at President Enkhbayar's residence, was the guest of
honor at Naadam (Mongolia's combination national day and
mini-olympics),participated in a dig for fossils, and visited a
memorial for Japanese World War II prisoners. He also surprised the
audience at a National Symphonic Orchestra concert in Ulaanbaatar by
appearing on stage to accompany the orchestra on the viola.
According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince and President Enkhbayar
formed a deep friendship, and Enkhbayar devoted significant personal
attention and time to the Crown Prince's visit.
4. (U) As noted prior to the visit, the Crown Prince's wife,
Princess Masako, did not accompany the Crown Prince to Mongolia, as
she is still recovering from stress-induced depression that has kept
her from fulfilling most of her official duties for several years.
The announcement that Masako would not accompany the Crown Prince
drew attention from both Japanese and international press.
5. (SBU) According to Kobayashi, the Crown Prince, at a reception
at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon his return to
Tokyo, spoke in glowing terms of his visit, and said he was charmed
and impressed at the welcome he had received. He expressed his
desire to make a return trip to Mongolia in the near future.
Kobayashi noted the visit received considerable media coverage both
in Japan and in Mongolia, further elevating the relationship and
expanding contacts of all sorts, official, commercial, social,
cultural, etc. He expects a modest surge in Japanese tourists as
well as businessmen.
MINTON