Courtesy Visit from the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan (April 2nd)
The ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan visited Kagawa for the first time as an ambassador and had a courtesy visit with the governor of Kagawa prefecture. Currently the relationship between the two countries is advancing in the field of energy, and the ambassador visited Kagawa with the intention of strengthening the relationship in other spheres.
He has a good command of Japanese and talked throughout in Japanese without the help of an interpreter, except when topics came up of a very complicated nature. The economic relationship between the two countries is expanding, and he would like to further enhance relationships in such fields as humanity and education. He also made a request for the establishment in Shikoku of an Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The ambassador presented the governor with books and a DVD concerning how Kazakhstan has developed thus far.
At the end of the courtesy visit, the ambassador made a gift of a chapan, a type of traditional Kazakh clothing, and helped the Governor try it on. The governor presented him with a lacquered Zokoku-nuri candy bowl.
A commemorative photo was taken with the Governor wearing the chapan. The visit was broadcast on NHK's evening news.
