Vol. 44: FROM THE EDITOR

The initial special feature of 2025 is the third in which we meet members of the diplomatic corps and ask them about their favorite Japanese-made items. This time, we paid visits to the ambassadors of Brazil, Indonesia and Georgia and spoke with them about relations with Japan. Many nations are celebrating auspicious anniversaries of diplomatic relations with Japan this year: Norway (120th anniversary), Saudi Arabia (70th), South Korea (60th), Malta (60th), Papua New Guinea (50th) and Cape Verde (50th). Brazil tops this year’s group by celebrating its 130th anniversary of relations with Japan.

By the end of 2025, the 21st century will be one-quarter finished. As always, we are seeing wars and terrorist attacks persist in all corners of the globe — Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions. Many factors contribute to these problems, but if one thing is certain it is that diplomatic efforts will always be essential for resolving them. With this in mind, let’s take a moment to hear from the ambassadors whose tireless diplomacy in the cultural and political arenas helps deepen bilateral ties between nations.