Lithuanian President visits Speaker Oshima
On Wednesday, 23 October, H.E. Dr. Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, visited the House of Representatives with his delegation and met with Mr. Tadamori Oshima, Speaker.
Speaker Oshima, beginning by expressing appreciation to Dr. Nausėda for visiting Japan to be present at the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, stated that he was pleased with the attendance of the Lithuanian Deputy Speaker at the Women Political Leaders Summit 2019 in Japan this June, and also pleased at more frequent visits by dignitaries of both countries. He remarked that Lithuania was an important partner sharing fundamental values, such as free trade, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and an international order based on rules, and then stated his hope to further strengthen Japan's relationship with Lithuania in various areas in the future. He also commented that Mr. Chiune Sugihara, who issued life-saving visas to Jewish refugees, forged a strong bond between Japan and Lithuania.
In reply, President Nausėda, expressing his gratitude for Mr. Oshima's welcome, stated the recent development and importance of bilateral economic relations, and that he hoped to further promote economic exchange between the two countries particularly in the energy and IT industries in the future.
During the meeting, they also touched on Lithuania having designated 2020 as Sugihara Year to mark the 80th anniversary since Mr. Sugihara issued visas to Jewish refugees, how basketball is so popular that it is called a second religion, and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
