“ARMENIANS AND JAPANESE HAVE MANY SIMILARITIES”: AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN IS HOSTED AT YSU

The Rector of YSU Aram Simonyan hosted the Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the RA H.E. June Yamada in his office. YSU Vice-Rectors Alexander Grigoryan and Gegham Gevorgyan, the head of the Department of International Relations Alexander Margarov and the Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Gegham Petrosyan were present at the meeting.

During the meeting with the Ambassador, YSU Rector presented the structure and the activity of the university and claimed that the students are very interested in the Japanese language, in the history and rich culture of Japan. Professor Simonyan stated that they are willing to promote strengthening the cooperation between the Embassy and the university and to implement new joint programs.

H.E. Mr. Yamada said that though the higher educational institutions are physically far away they are willing to expand the borders of cooperation and establish new ties with the universities of distant countries through implementation of experience exchange and joint educational programs. The Ambassador said that the number of Armenian students getting their education in Japan has increased and Japanese students started to show interest in studying in Armenia. The Ambassador claimed that Armenians and Japanese have a lot of similarities.

At the beginning of the meeting with the teaching staff and students Alexander Margarov said that YSU always organizes meeting with the diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia and the representatives of international organizations.

The Dean of the Faulty Gegham Petrosyan presented the outstanding facts of centuries-old friendship between Armenia and Japan mentioning that Armenians have settled in Japan as far back as the second half of the 19th century and the diplomatic ties between Armenia and Japan were established on September 7, 1992.

H.E. Ambassador June Yamada greeted those present in Armenian said that he has taken this office for only 6 months. He is the second Ambassador of Japan to Armenia and is trying to do his best to make the relationship between the two countries closer.

“The future belongs to you. Young people create a new world and new thinking. I am not young anymore, but if I had had the opportunity years ago I would certainly have learnt to speak Armenian. Japanese may seem difficult for you but don’t give in. Communicate with Japanese and find your way to go to Japan. And in my turn I will do my best to orient Japanese youth here. Armenia has become a very popular touristic destination”, said the Ambassador.

During the meeting the students asked their questions in Japanese. The questions many related to educational programs and the possibilities to go to Japan. The Ambassador assured that there will certainly be programs to encourage those who study Japanese. “Besides, my activities are aimed at attracting Japanese investors to Armenia to make investments and create jobs”.