“Over the past 25 years we have built a strong partnership, which is based on sincere friendly relations and our shared core values – respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” said Germanas.
Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister stressed that Lithuania and Japan were strongly linked through a memory of the legendary Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, the Righteous Among the Nations.
A documentary photography exhibition, entitled “The 25 Years Together”, was presented by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Japan Egidijus Meilūnas. This exhibition reflects the extensive cooperation between Lithuania and Japan.
Many guests had the opportunity to view for the first time historical documents and photos of the former Consulate of Japan in Kaunas, which was headed by the legendary Japanese diplomat Sugihara from November 1939 until August 1940. Sugihara issued transit visas to Jews from Poland or anywhere in Nazi-occupied Europe. Pictures offering a glimpse of the official visit of the Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko to Lithuania in May 2007 were also exhibited during the event, as well as photos of other important events, which took place after the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, in such areas of bilateral cooperation, as politics, business, science, culture and sports.
On 18 October, Germanas discussed the new possibility of strengthening dynamic scientific ties, student exchanges and the tourism sector with Hirofumi Nakasone, Chairman of the Japan-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Association, and a parliamentary group.
On the same day, Lithuania’s Foreign Vice-Minister discussed topical items on the agenda for bilateral and international cooperation in a meeting with the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura.
During the visit to Japan, Germanas also met with the leadership of the Japan-Lithuania Parliamentary Friendship Association and the Japan-Lithuania Exchange Centre.
