The President of the Hellenic Parliament Prof. Anna Psarouda-Benaki paid an official visit to Japan (29/5-3/6/05), upon invitation by the Speaker of Lower House of the Diet Mr. Y. Kono.

The Greek delegation headed by President Mrs. Benaki had a very successful five days stay in Japan, which included a tight schedule of official meetings:  President Benaki met with both the Speaker of the Lower House of the Diet Mr. Y. Kono and the President of the Upper House Mrs. C. Oogi. Furthermore, Mrs. Benaki was received by H. M. the Emperor and H. E. Prime Minister J. Koizumi.  All above-mentioned meetings were focused on the further enhancement  of bilateral ties between Greece and Japan.

Speaker Mr. Kono, under his parallel capacity as President of the Greek-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship League, hosted an official diner in honor of the Greek delegation at his Residence, which was attended by members of the joint Greek-Japan Friendship League as well as by the former President Mr. H. Aizawa.

During the aforementioned bilateral talks at all levels, the longstanding relations of the two countries were discussed. More particularly the cultural affinities of the two peoples, heirs of ancient civilisations, was approached. Common values and ideals, as expressed before, during and after the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, when the Olympic teams of Greece and Japan scored a big number of successes were emphasised. The symbolism also of Mrs Benaki intention to pay a visit to the Hiroshima Memorial Park was praised by the Japanese side. Prof Benakis’ assurance as well, that Greece is in favour of Japan’s quest for a UNSC permanent membership was also appreciated by Prof Benakis’ interlocutors. The extend, also, of the participation of women in public offices in the two countries took sufficient part of the talks, especially during the meeting with the President of the Upper House Mrs Oogi. The need for the further enhancement of bilateral exchanges at all levels was also raised. In this context, parliamentarian mutual visits should continue it was said.  An official invitation to visit Greece was addressed to the Speaker of the Lower House Mr Kono by Prof. Benaki. During the luncheon offered by the members of the Joint Parliamentary Friendship League warm thanks were addressed by Prof Benaki to the former President of the Greek-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship League Mr Aizawa for his longstanding services to the friendship of the two countries.    

In the context of her visit, President Benaki visited Keio University and exchanged views on the further development of Greek Studies in Japan with both the President of Keio University Dr. Y. Anzai and the Vice President of Keio University Prof. Nishimura, who is also Head of the Greek Studies Department of Keio University.  Mrs. Benaki had also the opportunity to talk in a friendly atmosphere with the students of the Greek studies Department of Keio University.

On 31^st, the Greek Ambassador Mr. K. Rodoussakis hosted a reception at his residence, in honour of President Benaki and the Greek delegation.  The reception was honoured by the presence of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi, who had represented Japan in 2004 Olympics in Athens. It was also attended by he Speaker of the Lower House of Diet Mr. Y. Kono, members of the Diet, representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, journalists, as well as other officials.

On the June 1^st, President Benaki and the Greek delegation visited Aichi Expo, where they were received and welcomed by the Vice Chairperson Mrs. H Sakamoto of the Aichi Expo 2005.  The latter hosted a lunch in honor of President Benaki, who was also guided at the Greek and Japanese Pavilions as well as the expo site.

On the 2^nd, the Greek delegation visited Hiroshima.  Accompanied by the Mayor of Hiroshima Mr. Akiba, President Benaki visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where a wreath-laying ceremony was held.  President Benaki was also guided at the Hiroshima Museum, where she signed the Museum’s Guest Book.

The successful visit of the President of the Hellenic Parliament proved once more the dynamism of the relations between Greece and Japan, as well as the strong will of both countries to work together for the further enhancement of their bilateral ties and increase of the exchange of visits at all levels.