The fact that many European countries or other countries outside our region will attend the EXPO could truly set in motion our shared future. The exhibition itself is a collective commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific region, says the outgoing Japanese ambassador to the Czech Republic, Hideo Suzuki.
Has anything changed since our last meeting? It's been six months... I assume preparations for the EXPO have intensified, and the conviction to host this world exhibition has strengthened?
Our objectives for the EXPO remain the same. However, the events around us show that there is always a need and space for innovation. We must come up with new solutions, new basis of collaboration to support peace and stability, both in individual regions and worldwide. In this sense, the EXPO 2025 in Osaka will play a key role for us. That need for togetherness, for being together is becoming more important than ever
Some articles and reports about the World EXPO suggest that there are two metaphorical camps: foreign participants and exhibitors on one side, and Japanese authorities, institutions, and companies on the other side, with both sides making every effort for the EXPO to be successful. Is that correct?
Both of these sides are coming closer and closer together. The Czech team is a prime example of this. Your commissioner puts a lot of effort into this preparatory process. There has been a significant shift, a breakthrough, especially in the last two or three months, including the Czech pavilion. I think there has been a strong sense of cooperation and collaboration between the two sides to make this pavilion a reality. And believe me, the preparation is accelerating very, very fast.
There have been rumors in some Czech media suggesting that there is very little time left to build the Czech pavilion. Could there really be a situation where it might not be built on time?
I don't think so. I believe it will be completed according to the plan. Yes, the remaining time is not very long, that's for sure. But I would say we still have a reasonable amount of time to finish it because things are progressing. As far as I know, some material tests have been conducted, and the preparation is moving rapidly. We still have over a year to complete it. I think it can be managed.
Can the plan be adhered to?
Yes. Of course.
Could the Czech team have done anything better in preparing for the EXPO?
I'm very satisfied with the Commissioner’s work, with his energy, his ambitions, with all the dedication he put into his work. With his way of working. Many times he communicated well with various stakeholders, such as the city of Osaka, the prefecture, the government, and builders. He has a very broad network of contacts, and I don't think there is another commissioner who has traveled to Japan so much and so often to move things forward. He knows very well that in Japan, there is nothing more valuable than personal contact. He will accompany the Czech minister of foreign affairs on his visit to Japan, and together they will visit the site of the Czech pavilion. This signifies the commitment of the Czech government and the Czech organization for the pavilion. We welcome this very much. I think we will have tremendous success.
How important is the EXPO for your country? What does it mean for Japan to host such an exhibition? And how important are information technologies for success in this story?
I think it is our national commitment to the international community to successfully organize this event. It is an exhibition that will take place in the Indo-Pacific region, which is the center of growth in the world, where all new things are happening. It is an extremely important event that will show the reality of the Indo-Pacific to the world. It is also very important for supporting peace and stability in this area. People from all over the world will come to the EXPO. But it's not just about us alone. It's about the whole world. There will be more than 150 foreign participants. This exhibition is a message of peace and stability. Everyone should be a responsible participant. The fact that many European countries or other countries outside our region will attend could truly set in motion a shared future. It is a collective commitment to peace and stability in this region.
At the same time, it is a unique opportunity to present contemporary Japan to the world, its technological advancement, cultural heritage, gastronomy, and so on, right?
Cultural heritage is extremely important for mutual understanding among different people, for understanding that we are all humans. We can be different, but we must respect each other. Every culture or civilization is rich and diverse in itself. And we know that, of course. We know it from reading, from looking at photographs; we know that there are different cultures, different civilizations, but we offer an opportunity to experience it firsthand. This is the best way to empathize with each other. This is the basis for peaceful development.
What is your personal story in the Czech Republic? What would you choose as the biggest impression, the most beautiful memory, looking back on your mission in our country?
It is impossible to talk about my stay in the Czech Republic without discussing the war in Ukraine. I was deeply impressed by the generosity and solidarity of the Czech people towards Ukrainian refugees. It struck me how many families were taking Ukrainian families into their homes, families they had never seen before. It was quite impressive how you can be so generous. I highly appreciated that from the Czech people. Not everyone can do that. Your strong engagement in support of Ukraine, unwavering support for that country, is something that deeply impressed me. It will stay with me forever. The same goes for the reaction to the death of Alexei Navalny. These are evidence of values and solidarity.
How can Japan-Czech relations be further deepened?
In the political arena, your foreign minister is currently visiting Japan, traveling through India and Australia. He will spend several days with us. We highly appreciate his engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. It is an opportunity to develop deeper political ties between the two countries. We will sign an aviation agreement, allowing airlines to fly directly from Japan to the Czech Republic and vice versa. It will be a strong impulse for people-to-people exchange, as the foundation of any cooperation. Last fall, the Czech Philharmonic successfully toured Japan. And this year, the Prague Symphony Orchestra will tour Japan. This shows how much the Japanese love Czech culture. I have enjoyed it here for three and a half years. I had the opportunity to see many cultural events related to Japan, showing the passion of the Czechs for Japanese culture. There is enormous potential in that, and I hope the World Expo in Osaka will also show the Czechs the modern side of contemporary Japanese life.
What message would you convey to your successor?
Be honest. Be yourself, and be open. That is the path to understanding the Czech nation.
Source: Czech News Agency, own editorial modifications
