13/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends SDF Band Festival

Speech by H.E. Minister of Defense Mr. Gen Nakatani

November 13, 2015: 
His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had a pleasure of attending the Band Festival of Japan Self-Defense Forces in celebration of JSDF Anniversary, organized by the Ministry of Defense of Japan. This year marks the 51st time of the annual event, and the band performances were done by teams of Ground Self-Defense Force, Maritime Self-Defense Force, Air Self-Defense Force, 302nd Honor Guard Company, Jiei-Diako (Japanese Drums) by SDF, Honor Guard Unit of National Defense Academy, the United States Army Japan Band, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Band, U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet Band, U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia in Japan and Indian Army Band, etc.

Besides all the bands’ astonishing performances, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had a great pleasure and honor to observe the opportunity with the Honorable Mr. Takeshi Fujimaki, and the Honorable Mr. Kazuyuki Hamada, both respected Members of the House of Councillors. H.E. Dr. Fatimie extended His Excellency’s gratitude on behalf of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for Japan’s continuous and consistent reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. The Honorable Mr. Fujimaki in response appreciated H.E. Ambassador’s words, and agreed to maintain and further develop the friendship of Japan and Afghanistan.

12/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Reception of Aomori Prefecture Promotion

November 12, 2015: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had an honor and pleasure of attending the reception for the promotion of Aomori’s abundant culture, attractive tourist destinations, and local products, organized by Aomori Prefecture in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Following the presentation by H.E. Aomori Governor Mr. Shingo Mimura regarding the recent development ofShinkansen (bullet train) linkage to neighboring Hokkaido, exporting initiatives of local products, and rich culture at an unique location of Aomori, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had a pleasure to communicate with H.E. Governor Mr. Mimura. H.E. Ambassador also met with H.E. Mr. Tadamori Oshima, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Member of House of Representatives Ms. Chizuko Takahashi, expressed on behalf of the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the gratitude for the assistance Japan has been providing to Afghanistan for the reconstruction. It was also a pleasure for H.E. Dr. Fatimie to exchange with the Honorable Speaker of Aomori Prefectural Assembly Mr. Etsuro Shimizu; Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi, Senior Staff of Aomori Prefectural Government; and Mr. Masayuki Katori, Senior Analyst of Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.

12/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress’ Garden Party

November 12, 2015: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had a great honor and pleasure of attending a Garden Party hosted by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in Tokyo. The party was held under a mild sunny autumn weather with the attendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and many distinguished guests including Prime Minister Abe and former Prime Ministers. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie appreciated to many of those guests communicated with and expressed their deep condolences for the victims of the recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan and the region on October 26.


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11/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Independence Day and the 20th Anniversary of Neutrality of Turkmenistan Reception

November 11, 2015: 

His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had an honor and pleasure of attending the Independence Day and the 20th Anniversary of Neutrality of Turkmenistan. On behalf of the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed his congratulations for the occasion, and gratitude for the country of Turkmenistan having been historically a friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, to H.E. Ambassador Mr. Gurbanmammet Elyasov of Turkmenistan. In response H.E. Ambassador Mr. Elyasov appreciated for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie’s kind words and agreed to maintain the good relationship for the mutual prosperity. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also had a pleasure of communicating with the Honorable Member of House of Councillors Mr. Kazuyuki Hamada, a long time friend, as well as other distinguished guests on attendance.

12/11/2015 Garden Party With Their Majesties

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress’ Garden Party

November 12, 2015: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had a great honor and pleasure of attending a Garden Party hosted by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in Tokyo. The party was held under a mild sunny autumn weather with the attendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and many distinguished guests including Prime Minister Abe and former Prime Ministers. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie appreciated to many of those guests communicated with and expressed their deep condolences for the victims of the recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan and the region on October 26.

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10/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends a Book Launching Reception at Philippines Ambassador’s Residence

November 10, 2015: 
It was an honor and pleasure for His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie to attend the book launching reception for “History and Heritage of the Kudan the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan” held at the residence of H.E. Mr. Manuel M. Lopez, Philippine Ambassador.

As the Afghan mission chief to the Republic of Philippines, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie extended, on behalf of the people and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, his congratulations to H.E. Ambassador Mr. Lopez, and gratitude for the invitation to the event, as well as their support to and friendly relationship with Afghanistan. H.E. Ambassador also had a pleasure of communicating with former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hirotaka Ishihara, and Their Excellencies Ambassadors of other countries attended the event, to further deepen the amicable connections with other countries.

10/11/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Delivers Speech and Hosts Luncheon for the Press Conference regarding "Hidden Treasures" Exhibition

November 10, 2015: 
Artifacts stored at the National Museum, Kabul in Afghanistan have been on the world tour, and they are to be exhibited in Japan next year. The exhibition starts on January 1st, 2016 at Kyushu National Museum in Fukuoka until February 14th. Then from April 12th to June 19th, Tokyo National Museum will hold the exhibition titled “Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul.”

The ancient artifacts, once believed to be lost forever due to the chaotic state of conflicts, had been hidden by the courageous National Museum staffs. They were “re-discovered” in 2004, after the establishment of the current Afghan government. Such artifacts and some of those had been kept in Japan in order to maintain the collection will reunite for the exhibition in Fukuoka and Tokyo next year, and eventually will be returned to their mother home, Afghanistan.

To widely publicize such a rare and precious occasion to enhance fully of the relationship and friendship between Afghanistan and Japan, a press conference was held at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, organized by the sponsors of the exhibition tour, Fuji Television and Sankei Shimbun. The press conference was opened by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie’s remarks that it is such a great opportunity to display that prove Afghanistan’s rich cultural and historical background.

Following H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie, Mr. Masami Zeniya, Executive Director of Tokyo National Museum, made a remark by thanking all the sponsors and supporters of the upcoming event possible to happen in Japan, and introduced how attractive the collections that the cultural history of Afghanistan -crossroad of Silk Road- reflects even after 4000 years since their creation.

After the demonstration of video footage briefly explaining the fate of “Hidden Treasures” what they have been through, Mr. Yoichi Inoue, Director of Curational Planning of Tokyo National Museum, briefed the attended media the overview of the artifacts planned to be displayed at the exhibition based on 4 excavation sites.

(Photo credit: Exhibition’s facebook page, see link below)
Mr. Ryohei Suzuki, one of the most emerging, well-known and talented Japanese actor, was assigned to be a “Special Navigator” –an icon to represent the event on the media. He will also be the narrator of the listening guide device at the exhibition museums. Based on his knowledge as a holder of the class-A World Heritage Exam certification, he expressed his excitement and willingness to widely spread the news and background story of the “Hidden Treasures” of Afghanistan.

Before closing, H.E. Dr. Fatimie made an additional remark regarding the realization of the event, and expressed his deep gratitude to all supporters and contributors, namely the Honorable Mr. and Mrs. Matsunami of Japan-Afghanistan Friendship Association who were in attendance. The time dates back to 2012, when Tokyo Conference for Afghanistan was held in Japan, the Honorable Mr. Kenshiro Matsunami spoke with then-president of Afghanistan H.E. Hamid Karzai that the exhibition of the “Hidden Treasures” be held in Japan. After the instruction from H.E. then-president Karzai to H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie at that time, once what seemed like a dream idea, becoming the actual event in 2016. Therefore His Excellency expressed his deep appreciation and gratefulness for all those dedicated to this event happening for further solidifying the friendship of Afghanistan and Japan. The remark was received by a room full of applause by attendees of distinguished guests and media staffers, in addition to the embassy staffs.

The conference was attended by nearly 150 media personels and journalists, including TV coverage. The news were reported subsequently on multiple articles all over Japan. The event came to a closure with a fruitful publication, then the entire visitors enjoyed Afghan cuisine prepared and served by the embassy.

Prior to the press conference, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had a pleasure of communicating with the key guests and participants including the executives of Fuji/Sankei group at His Excellency’s office.

For the detail of the Special Exhibition “Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul” in Japan (Fukuoka and Tokyo) please refer to the following links:
Exhibition's Official website (Japaneese)
Tokyo National Museum (English/Japanese)
Fuji Television (Japanese)
Exhibition facebook page (Japanese)