The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Japan and 19 EU Member State Ambassadors will visit Kumamoto on 8-9 February for a regional Retreat that includes opportunities to exchange views with a wide range of local interlocutors.

On 9 February, the Ambassadors will visit the head office of Tokyo Electron Kyushu Ltd in the morning and the Ground Self-Defense Force’s Camp Kengun in the afternoon. The group is also planning a tour of Kumamoto Castle to see the reconstruction efforts made since the powerful earthquakes of April 2016, which are all the more relevant in the wake of the New Year’s Day Noto Peninsula Earthquake.

The EU and its Member States, as ‘Team Europe’, take a keen interest in fostering closer ties with Japan’s regions. This visit aims to foster deeper exchanges with key stakeholders based in Kumamoto, particularly in such areas as EU-Japan security cooperation and establishing resilient supply chains.

The Ambassadors will hold a press briefing as follows:

Date & time:          Thursday, 8 February, 12:30-13:00

Venue:                   Multipurpose Interactive Facility, Sakuranobaba Johsaien (1-1 Ninomaru, Chuo-ku)

Language:              English / Japanese (consecutive interpretation)

In addition to the above press briefing, a doorstep can be arranged at Kumamoto Castle at around 16h00 on Friday, 9 February. Kumamoto Mayor Kazufumi Ohnishi is expected to also be present.