[Translated from original Chinese]
Hello everyone!
I am Kenji Kanasugi, who has just assumed the post of Ambassador of Japan to China. I flew to Beijing today.
Building a constructive and stable bilateral relationship with China is of great significance not only to Japan and China, but also to the region and the international community. As a diplomat, I feel very honored to have the opportunity to serve as ambassador to China. While safeguarding Japan’s national interests, I will do my best to further promote the development of Japan-China relations.
In particular, I will continue to work hard to provide support to you as we carry out our important missions such as protecting overseas Chinese and assisting Japanese companies.
In November this year, at the Japan-China summit meeting in San Francisco, the two leaders reiterated that they would comprehensively promote the “strategic and mutually beneficial relationship” and, on this basis, reaffirmed that a new era of Japan-China relations should be opened and a “constructive, mutually beneficial relationship” should be built. Stable Japan-China relations” is an important direction.
There are various possibilities for cooperation between Japan and China, but there are also many issues and differences. Under such circumstances, it is my responsibility and obligation as an ambassador to strengthen dialogue on various unresolved issues, cooperate on common issues, and stay on the front line to effectively implement the Japanese government’s policy.
I hope to inherit the valuable wealth accumulated by my predecessors, including previous ambassadors, and combine it with my own experience to contribute to the further development of Japan-China relations.
Finally, I would like to ask my friends for your strong support and assistance.
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金杉宪治大使 履新致辞（2023年12月19日）
大家好！
我是刚刚履新日本国驻华大使的金杉宪治。我于今日飞抵北京。
与中国构筑具有建设性、稳定的双边关系，不仅对日中两国，而且对地区和国际社会都具有重要意义。能有机会来华担任大使，身为外交官我感到非常荣幸。在维护日本国家利益的同时，为进一步推动日中关系的发展，我将竭尽全力。
特别是在履行保护侨民、协助日资企业等本馆重要使命之时，我将继续努力为各位提供支持。
今年11月，在美国旧金山举行的日中首脑会谈上，两国首脑重申将全面推进 “战略互惠关系”，并在此基础上，再次确认应开启日中关系新时代，构筑“具有建设性、稳定的日中关系”这一重大方向。
日中两国之间拥有各种各样的合作可能性，但同时也存在诸多课题与分歧。在这样的情况下，就各种悬而未决的问题加强对话，就共同课题开展合作，立足第一线，切实贯彻日本政府这一方针正是我作为大使的责任和义务。
我希望能够继承历任大使在内的各位前辈所积累的宝贵财富，结合自身的经验，为日中关系的进一步发展贡献绵薄之力。
最后，敬请朋友们给予大力支持与协助。
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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan
Speaker: Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi, Embassy of Japan in China
Format: Speech
China Policy Research 