Public Lecture by The Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Takashi Koizumi

H.E. Takashi Koizumi, Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria delivered a public lecture in the Ceremonial Hall of the university. The event was organized by the International Relations Research Student Association (IRRSA). It was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Igor Damyanov, Dean of the International Economics and Policy Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Ralchev, Deputy Head of the International Relations Department, lecturers and students from the university.

Assoc. Prof. Igor Damyanov is opening the event. On the right next to him: H.E. Takashi Koizumi, Izabela Lazova, moderator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Ralchev

The lecture by H.E. Takashi Koizumi will expand our knowledge for one of the most modern economic policies in the world implemented by Japan, outlined Assoc. Prof. Damynov. The Dean cited the Japanese words for “teachers”, “mentors” and “students” and pointed out that the relation between the Bulgarian and Japanese people had come out of the fact that John Atanasoff had invented the computer and the Japanese had turned it in our daily routine.

In the Ceremonial Hall

The Japanese Ambassador expressed his thankfulness for the opportunity to speak to “academic community of the university which had educated lots of significant professionals”. He defined the topic of his lecture: economic development of Japan and its bilateral relations with Bulgaria. H.E. Takashi Koizumi presented the economic indicators of Japan which occupies the third place in the world by its GDP (Gross Domestic Product). He made a review of Japanese economic development since the times of the so called Japanese miracle, over the period of “economic bubble” and the recession after it to the expanding Asian relation and the new economic programme known as “Abenomics”. That programme called also “the three arrows strategy” is based on three main pillars: brave monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and strategy of growth for stimulation of private investment, pointed out the Ambassador. According to his words it had included measures for keeping the inflation to 2%, correction of the expensive yen downwards, concessions for the business and more public investments. Starting the Abenomics programme led to positive reaction in the economy and financial markets, the stocks began to rise, the export dip was stopped and the restored consumption is a sign of economic revival, pointed out H.E. Takashi Koizumi.

H.E. Takashi Koizumi

The Ambassador commented on the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Japan which had mutually opened their diplomatic representations in both countries in 1939. By specific examples he examined the Japanese investment in our country, perspectives of cooperation in the field of SME (small and medium enterprises), education of Bulgarian specialists and the work of Japanese experts in our country. There are people among you who will develop the business with Japan in the future, said H.E. Koizumi to students and reminded them that studying and encouraging the bilateral relations of Bulgaria with other countries had been very important.

Students in the Ceremonial Hall

H.E. Takashi Koizumi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bulgaria for the third consecutive term, delivered his lecture in the Bulgarian language.

The International Relations Research Student Association awarded to the Ambassador a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his public lecture.