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4 THE JAPAN TIMES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009 (3)

Belgium king’s day

So many reasons to pay a visit to BelgiumBrussels

La Grand’ Place is a hap-pening place. In the center ofthe city, the historic square isfamous for its market, the Ho-tel de Ville, cafe s, festivals,museums and shops. In Au-gust, it is transformed into aflowering wonderland duringthe three days of the ‘‘Tapis deFleurs (flower tapestry).’’The Belgian Beer weekends inSeptember are a must for beerlovers.Museums and art

From comics to music andfrom Gothic to the surreal Ma-gritte, Brussels offers morethan 80 museums covering ev-ery imaginable topic. Jazz hasbeen a strong feature of Brus-sels’ night life since the 1920s

and year-round live jazz ses-sions can be found at a clusterof venues. The saxophone wasinvented in Dinant in 1846.

Brussels is also the ‘‘Capitalof Art Nouveau,’’ with morethan 500 buildings fully or par-tially art nouveau. Weekendantiquing is the sport of kingsat the antique markets in theGrand Sablon and Place duJeu de Balle in Brussels, andall around Belgium.Belgium for food lovers

Belgium enjoys an unpar-alleled reputation for its spe-cialty beers. Connoisseurs fa-vor Belgian beers for theirvariety, real flavor and char-acter. There are more than800 types, so the choices areendless. With more than 2,000

chocolate shops throughoutthe country, Belgium is irre-sistible. Beyond chocolatesand beer, street food is a de-lectable bargain: try Belgianfries, mussels, shrimp cro-

quettes or Brussels and Liegewaffles.Beyond Brussels

Beyond Brussels there i s aworld of landscapes. Thereare more castles per squaremeter in Belgium than any-where in the world, stone-builtvillages, gourmet restaurantsand carnivals.

Collectively, these and manymore superlatives can be foundin Wallonia, the southernFrench-speaking region of Bel-gium. For a quick getaway, vis-it scenic Namur, the Citadel inDinant, the castle of Bouillon,relaxing Spa, the biggest city inFrench-speaking Belgium,Liege, or the smallest in theworld, Durbuy.

More information about theFrench-speaking Belgium,Brussels and Wallonia is avail-able at Belgium Tourist OfficeWallonia — Brussels or on theWeb site:

www.belgium-travel. j p(Japanese brochures are alsoavailable.)

‘‘Tapis de Fleurs’’: La Grand’ Place in Brussels is covered by a flower tapestry every two years.The next festival is scheduled for Aug. 13-15, 2010. BTO WALLONIA-BRUSSELS/OPT

Land of castles: There are more castles per square meter in Belgium than anywhere in theworld. This is the castle of Mirwart in Wallonia. BTO WALLONIA-BRUSSELS/HIROKAZU TAKAYAMA

National pleasure: BrewingBelgian beer is an art form.BELGIAN EMBASSY

State rooms: The Royal Palace in Brussels is used today asHis Majesty King Albert II’s office. BELGIAN EMBASSY

Royal lineage: King Albert II and his son, Crown PrincePhilippe FPS CHANCERY PRIME MINISTER-DGCE/WIM ROBBERECHTS

Relationship built on firm common groundJohan MaricouAMBASSADOR OF BELGIUM TO JAPAN

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As I deliver this King’s Daymessage to you, the BelgianEmbassy isabout to leaveits temporarypremises andreturn to itshome of almosthalf a century,at the heart ofthe quiet Chiyo-da district. A brand-new com-pound building has beenerected over the last two yearsat this same location, withinwalking distance of the Impe-rial Palace grounds. It is mysincere wish that the new em-bassy will, just like the previ-ous one, prove an attractiveplace for homely get-togethers for several genera-tions of Japanese and Belgianfriends of all walks of life.

Our old embassy enjoyed arich tradition of pleasant func-tions, concerts and receptions.Be assured that I, togetherwith my successors in Tokyo,will be eager to continue thistradition, thereby contribut-ing to shape the very friendlyrelations between our coun-tries and peoples.

To mark the end of this two-year hiatus, a grand openingin the presence of, among oth-ers, Belgium’s minister of for-eign affairs, will be held April8, 2010. In addition, a Japanese

winner and a Japanese finalistof the famous Belgian musicalcontest named after the lateQueen Elisabeth will performat the Kioi Hall on the sameevening to further mark theoccasion.

Three years ago, I present-ed my credentials to His Impe-rial Majesty Emperor Akihi-to, and together we evoked thewarm friendship between ourImperial and royal families,which over many years hasbeen of crucial importance forthe development of the excel-lent ties between our two coun-tries. Relations between Ja-pan and Belgium are void ofany problems, which meansthat being Belgium’s ambas-sador in Tokyo is a much re-warding task.

In spite of the economicdownturn, our bilateral tradeand investment are back ontrack. Belgium has long been afavorite destination for invest-ment by Japanese companiesand this for a number of rea-sons, such as Belgium’s highlyeducated and efficient work-force, the excellent quality oflife, the existence of world-class harbors with easy links toa highly developed Europeanhinterland and, of course, b e -cause of the presence of majorEuropean institutions in Brus-sels, Belgium’s capital.

Belgian products are verywell appreciated in Japan, bethey of a high-end technologi-

cal nature as illustrated by ourfrequent seminars and eventsaround nanotechnology andlow-carbon solutions, or more

traditional as in the case of ourfamed Belgian chocolate, waf-fles and beer.

In the field of internationalrelations, both our countries’belief in a well-functioningand smoothly run system ofmultilateral organizations isan important shared value be-tween Belgium and Japan. Intoday’s often uncertain envi-ronment, Belgium highly val-ues Japan’s growing readinessto take up a more influentialrole in the multilateral arena,as is clearly demonstrated bythe leadership displayed byJapan within the G-8 as well asits active involvement in theG-20 context. It further truststhat, as a recently electedmember of the Security Coun-cil, Japan will further contrib-ute to strengthening multilat-eralism in all areas.

The coming year will alsobe an important one for Bel-gium as during the second se-mester of 2010 our country willhold the rotating presidency ofthe European Council. In thiscapacity, my government willchair many important inter-national meetings and sum-

mits, including the eighthsummit of the Asia-EuropeMeeting (ASEM), which willtake place in Brussels in a lit-tle less than a year from now.

Another common ground inour bilateral relations is ourdeep concern for Africa. Bothcountries have shown a firmcommitment to this continentfor many years as was evi-denced, in the case of Japan,by the continuous success ofthe TICAD process. Belgiumand Japan should go on study-ing means and ways of takingjoint action on that continent,and in particular in CentralAfrica, which unfortunatelyremains a priority on the in-ternational agenda.

Japanese travelers who vis-it World Heritage sites all overthe world should not miss theopportunity to visit Belgium.In the southern part of Bel-gium, Wallonia, a visit to cas-tles such as Chateau de Mo-dave or Bouillon is a must. InFlanders, Brugge is certainlyone of the most popular touristdestinations for its medievalcharacter, and Antwerp isvery popular for art, dia-monds and for its ‘‘Dog ofFlanders’’ story. (For more in-formation please seewww.belgium-travel.jp orwww.visitflanders.jp)

If I cannot meet you in aBrussels restaurant to tastesome of our best seafood, thenI would definitely hope to meetyou one day at one of our Bel-gian events here in Tokyo.

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(4) THE JAPAN TIMES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009 5

Belgium king’s day/world

Bound by 80 years of royal exchangesTakao KusakariPRESIDENT, JAPAN-BELGIUM SOCIETY

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On the occasion of the Kingdomof Belgium’s King’s Day,I extend myheartfeltcongratulationson behalf of theJapan-BelgiumSociety. It isindeed a matterfor rejoicing thatHis MajestyKing Albert II, Her MajestyQueen Paola and the royalfamily of Belgium are in goodhealth.

I am very pleased to note thatJapan and Belgium have longenjoyed very close relations notonly in the realm of economic,

politics and diplomacy but alsoin cultural and social spheres. Itgoes without saying that thisexcellent relationship is basedon more than 80 years of goodand stable exchanges betweenJapan’s Imperial family and theroyal family of Belgium.

In September this year, theJapan-Belgium Society hosted,as the annual cultural exchangeevent, a coach tour to the city ofHanyu in Saitama, the twin cityof Durbuy, and the city ofAshikaga, Tochigi, where TheirMajesties King Albert II andQueen Paola, accompanied byTheir Imperial MajestiesEmperor Akihito and EmpressMichiko, paid a state visit to inOctober 1996, together withCrown Prince Philippe.

Fifty-nine participants,including Belgian AmbassadorJohan Maricou and his wife, allenjoyed ‘‘inekari’’ riceharvesting and watchedbonsai being created in Hanyu.At Ashikaga School, the oldestuniversity in Japan, wefollowed the path of the royalfamily and Imperial family in1996.

I sincerely pray for thegreater prosperity of theKingdom of Belgium, which isplaying an increasinglyimportant role in the EuropeanUnion. Particularly, 2010 is aremarkable year, when Belgiumassumes the EU presidency. Ialso pray for the everlastingbonds of friendship betweenJapan and Belgium.

IN BRIEF-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First U.S. pot cafe opens in OregonPortland Ore. REUTERS

The United States’ first marijuana cafe opened Friday, posingan early test of the Obama administration’s move to relaxpolicing of medical use of the drug.

The Cannabis Cafe in Portland, Ore., is the first to givecertified medical marijuana users a place to get hold of the drugand smoke it — as long as they are out of public view — despite afederal ban.

There are about 21,000 patients registered to use marijuanafor medical purposes in Oregon.

The cafe — in a two-story building that formerly housed aspeakeasy and adult erotic club Rumpspankers — is technicallya private club, but is open to any Oregon residents who areNORML members and hold an official medical marijuana card.

Members pay $25 per month to use the 100-person capacitycafe. They don’t buy marijuana, but get it free over the counterfrom ‘‘budtenders.’’ Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., it serves food buthas no liquor license.

Corrupt congressman gets 13 yearsAlexandriaVa. AP

A former New Orleanscongressman who famously hid$90,000 cash in his freezer wassentenced Friday to 13 years inprison for taking bribes, thelongest term ever imposed on acongressman for bribery charges.

William Jefferson, a Democratwho represented parts of NewOrleans for nearly 20 years, wasconvicted in August of takingroughly $500,000 in bribes andseeking millions more in exchangefor using his influence to brokerbusiness deals in Africa.

The sentence was still far less than the nearly 30 yearsprosecutors had sought.

Agents investigating the case found $90,000 wrapped in foiland hidden in boxes of frozen pie crusts in his freezer.

Climate speeding Greenland ice lossWashington AFP-JIJI

Greenland’s ice sheet has melted faster than previously thought,according to the results of a two-year study published by the U.S.journal Science.

Scientists reported that warmer-than-usual summersaccelerated ice loss to 273 cu. km a year between 2006 and 2008,amounting to a 0.75-mm rise in global sea levels per year.

Greenland’s ice cap contains enough water to cause, if itbecame fluid, a global sea level rise of 7 meters.

According to the study, since 2000 the ice sheet has lost around1,500 cu. km of water, which amounts to an average global sealevel rise of 5 mm.

Brazil to offer ‘voluntary’ carbon cutSao Paulo AFP-JIJI

Brazil said Friday it would offer a ‘‘voluntary’’ cut of at least 36percent in greenhouse gas emissions at the U.N. conference onclimate change in Copenhagen next month.

The goal could see carbon reductions of up to 39 percent and isset against Brazil’s forecast level of emissions in 2020.

The target was presented by Environment Minister CarlosMinc and government chief minister Dilma Rousseff at a newsconference in Sao Paulo following talks with President LuizInacio Lula da Silva.

Brazil is the fourth-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in theworld, largely because of carbon released through deforestationof its vast Amazon forest by ranchers and farmers.

Rousseff said the country’s target is between 36.1 percent and38.9 percent, with about half the projected cut would come fromslowing deforestation of the Amazon.

Brazil posted encouraging news on that front last week, whenit said Thursday it had experienced the smallest loss of the rainforest over the past year in more than two decades.

U.K. probes Iraqi rape, torture claimsLondon AFP-JIJI

An investigation has been launched into allegations that Britishsoldiers tortured Iraqi civilians, Britain’s Ministry of Defensesaid Friday.

The announcement of the probe came after the Independentnewspaper said 33 cases of alleged abuse had been reported,including claims of rape, the use of torture techniques andphysical assault.

The newspaper said the civilians claimed British soldiers inIraq copied sexual and physical abuse from photographs takenat the notorious U.S.-run Abu Ghraib jail in Baghdad, whichemerged in 2004.

Child-molesting pastor gets 175 yearsTexarkanaArk. AP

Evangelist Tony Alamo wassentenced Friday to 175 years inprison for taking underage girlsacross state lines for sex,effectively punishing him for therest of his life for molestingchildren he took as ‘‘brides’’ in hisministry. During Friday’shearing, some of Alamo’s victimstestified about how their familieswere destroyed while theevangelist took over their lives.

Alamo, 75, had been convicted inJuly on a 10-count federalindictment. U.S. District JudgeHarry F. Barnes said Alamo used his status as father figure andpastor and threatened the girls with ‘‘the loss of their salvation.’’

France gives Eastwood top honorParis REUTERS

President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded U.S. actor and directorClint Eastwood one of France’s top honors Friday, hailing himas a cinema legend and a symbol of the type of America that theFrench adore.

It is unusual for a foreigner to be elevated to the rank ofcommander of the French Legion of Honor but Eastwood, whowent from playing tough-guy roles like Dirty Harry to directinghighly praised films, said he saw France as his second home.

‘‘My wife chastised me, saying if that was true, why don’t Ispeak French,’’ he told friends and officials gathered at theElysee Palace for the ceremony, promising to take lessons.

Sarkozy said French admiration for U.S. movies had helpedtranscend any problems the countries might have had in thepast. ‘‘When one loves the cinema of a people, one loves thepeople,’’ he said.

Flanders: Belgian center of art, cultureFive Flemish cities (Brugge,Antwerp, Ghent, Mechelenand Leuven) and Brussels arethe most well-known touristiccities in Flanders. Train con-nections make the cities easyto access, allowing visitors totour them all, each of whichhas its own charm. Flanders isespecially proud of its WorldHeritage sites and culture, itsgastronomy, shopping andlifestyle.

Flemish cities have manymedieval streets and areas,and the size of the cities makesthem ideal for visiting on foot.The marketplace (‘‘markt’’),surrounded on four sides bythe city hall and guild houses,is the center of the city. Sincethe Middle Ages, it has taken acentral role in the life of thecitizens as a place of businessand a gathering point. Whilerelaxing at a cafe in the mar-ketplace, you can experiencethe life of the people and un-derstand the history of thecity.

Churches and cathedralsare also fascinating placeswhere you can encountermany splendid paintings andreligious art, like visiting amuseum. The ‘‘Adoration ofthe Mystic Lamb’’ by theBrothers Van Eyck in St. BavoCathedral (Sint-Baafs) inGhent and the altar piece ofRubens in Antwerp’s Cathe-dral of Our Lady are master-pieces that you definitelyshould see.

Any time of the year you vis-it Flanders, you can enjoy au-thentic Flemish cuisine pre-

pared with ingredients of thatseason, such as white aspara-gus in spring, herring in sum-mer or mussels and stewscooked with beer in winter.Flanders is also known for itsbig selection of beers, whichare locally brewed. Visitingdifferent cities and enjoyingthe local beer is another plea-sure of traveling throughFlanders.

2010 is a year to mark inyour calendar as two festivalslisted as UNESCO IntangibleCultural Heritage will be held.

The ‘‘ommegang’’ of Den-dermonde is centered aroundthe procession through thetown of a giant, magical,wooden horse, the ‘‘RosBeiaard.’’ The festival datesback to the 14th century and isbased on a heroic song fromthe 12th century, ‘‘The FourSons of Duke Aymon.’’ It is a

golden opportunity to see thisfestival as it only takes placeevery 10 years.

The ‘‘Procession of the HolyBlood’’ in Brugge takes placeevery year on Ascension Day,when the relic of the HolyBlood is paraded through thecity.

There are also two majorflower festivals that should notbe missed. On the La Grand’Place (‘‘Grote Markt’’) inBrussels, a ‘‘flower tapestry(Tapis de Fleurs)’’ will be cre-ated, covering the square withthousands of begonias. Thisfestival takes place only onceevery two years. And in Ghent,a city known for its productionof flowers, there’ll be the ‘‘Flor-alia,’’ which takes place onceevery five years.

For more information aboutFlanders, please visitwww.visitflanders.jp

Historic legacy: The beautiful houses along the Graslei by Ghent’s old harbor reflect the wealthand power of the medieval guilds. TOURIST OFFICE FOR FLANDERS BELGIUM/MIEKO YAGI

Religious rite: The colorful Procession of the Holy Blood is held on Ascension Day in spring.The bishop of Brugge carries the relic through the streets of the city, accompanied bycostumed residents acting out biblical scenes. TOERISME VLAANDEREN A. KOUPRIANOFF

Just desserts: Handmade waffles sweet enough for thesweetest tooths BTO WALLONIA-BRUSSELS/HIROKAZU TAKAYAMA

People watching: There’s always time to unwind at a terrace cafe in one of Belgium’s manyhistorical cities. BELGIAN EMBASSY

Tony Alamo

William Jefferson