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The Prime Minister in Action
Japan-Argentina Summit Meeting and Other Events
May 19, 2017
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands
Photograph of the Prime Minister welcoming the President of Argentina
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (1)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (2)
Photograph of the Japan-Argentina Summit Meeting
Photograph of the leaders attending the memorandum signing ceremony (1)
Photograph of the leaders attending the memorandum signing ceremony (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the memorandum signing ceremony (3)
Photograph of the joint press announcement
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the banquet he hosted (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the banquet he hosted (2)
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Mauricio Macri, President of the Argentine Republic, at the Prime Minister's Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a summit meeting. Afterwards the leaders attended a memorandum signing ceremony and a joint press announcement.
Lastly, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and said in his address,
"I wish to once again offer my heartfelt welcome to President and Mrs. Macri on their visit to Japan. When I think of Argentina, above all, I remember the moment it was decided in Buenos Aries that we would host the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Argentinian steak that I ate at that time tasted so delicious and left even more of an impression on me. When I visited Argentina last year too, I was once again deeply impressed by the delicious steak that was served at the dinner at the Office of the President.
Among Japanese people, Argentina is most often associated with the tango. The tango is so popular here that since 2004, Japan has hosted the Asian Championship of the Tango Dance World Championship every year. When I last visited Argentina, I also enjoyed watching the tango during a luncheon. Since I myself unfortunately cannot dance the tango, I was hoping to myself the whole time that I would not be asked to join in at some point during the song. One of my Cabinet members in attendance today, Kozo Yamamoto, who is also President of the Japan-Argentina Parliamentary Friendship League, is a great lover of the tango, and is well-known for his ability to dance it. I have never seen him dance, but I am sure he must be a very good tango dancer.
Japan and Argentina have a long history of friendly relations. Next year will be the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Immigration from Japan to Argentina started in 1907 and Argentina currently has the third largest community of Japanese descendants in South America. The connections that we have with the hearts of Japanese-Argentinians serve as an indispensable bridge between our two countries.
We have invited to today's banquet many different leaders who are supporting these kinds of invaluable friendly relations between our two countries in a variety of different fields, including politics, the economy, and culture. It is thanks to all of your support that the Japan-Argentina relationship is what it is today. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of you, and my hope that you will continue to work with us toward the further development of this relationship.
Finally, I would like to offer a toast. May President Macri's visit mark the start of a new chapter in the history of our two countries."
