APPENDIX 27
Letter from the Embassy of Japan
Thank you for your letter dated 1 December,
inquiring about the reasons why the Government of Japan has not
yet established a diplomatic post in Wales.
Recognising that devolution is a key constitutional
and political development in the United Kingdom, we have been
following the devolution process with keen interest. Japan values
its political, business and cultural relationship with Wales and
we recognise the unique contribution Wales has made to the United
Kingdom and the world. This is why the Embassy dispatches its
staff from time to time to Cardiff to monitor ongoing events there.
I myself have visited Wales on many occasions, and was present
at the opening of the National Assembly for Wales by Her Majesty
The Queen in May last year. We remain in touch with developments
in Wales.
Generally speaking, in considering the establishment
of a Consulate or a representative office in a certain region,
we normally take into account many factors including:
— the size of the Japanese community
in the region;
— the number of Japanese tourists;
— the actual number of cases of protection
of Japanese nationals in the region which a consulate would be
involved in; and
— the distance from the Embassy to
the region.
Furthermore, we need to consider on a global
basis which overseas office should be given priority because we
have limited budgetary resources for the establishment of new
overseas offices due to the recent administrative and financial
reforms in Japan. In view of the fact that there are still a number
of countries and regions where the Japanese Government has no
representation, it will take some time before we come to a conclusion
on this matter.
I will certainly report to Tokyo that the Select
Committee has expressed its interest in diplomatic activities
in Cardiff and inquired about the possibility of establishing
an office there. I will inform you if there are any new developments.
Sadayuki Hayashi
Ambassador
15 December 2000
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