Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Japan for four days from April 20th to 23rd on her first overseas trip since the COVID-19 pandemic.
He demonstrated his diplomatic skills by being active on both the economic and political fronts, attending events for Zespri kiwifruit and Toyota's hydrogen cars, and negotiating an intelligence sharing agreement at a summit meeting with Prime Minister Kishida.
On the 22nd, he visited Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo and promoted his study abroad in New Zealand. He also showed enthusiasm for the easing of border control measures on May 2nd.
Study Abroad Programs to Restart
Prime Minister Ardern announced the return of "Game on English" at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
"Game on English" is a unique program that combines rugby and English, launched by the New Zealand government in 2014. In this program, students stay in New Zealand for three to four weeks, studying English at universities and language schools while also undergoing rugby training. Since the program began, about 200 students from Japan have participated, but it was suspended in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
New Zealand has announced that it will ease its previously strict border control measures, Prime Minister Ardern said at a press conference at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
New Zealand is a great country for tourism, study abroad and sports. We are ready to welcome tourists and international students from Japan again from May 2nd." He expressed his expectations not only for studying abroad but also for tourism.
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Reunited with international students after 32 years
Ardern herself also had a connection with a Japanese student studying abroad. When she was a child, her family hosted an exchange student from Japan. The Prime Minister's Office got in touch with the exchange student, Madoka Watanabe, and they met for the first time in 32 years at the embassy.
Ms. Watanabe and her husband met with Prime Minister Ardern. At the time, Ms. Watanabe was 14 years old and Prime Minister Ardern was 10 years old. It was surprising that a little girl who was staying with her husband became Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Ardern to Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe
My parents said they would love for me to come to New Zealand again.
"I told him,"
One memorable moment during his stay was when Watanabe ate apples straight from the tree, and Prime Minister Ardern reminisced about letting Watanabe drive a tractor in the fields behind the house, and she seemed pleased to be reunited with him.
You can watch the video from that time on the following website. As expected, Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe looked a little nervous.
This reunion was made possible because Prime Minister Ardern's mother had carefully saved information about the exchange students she had hosted.Ardern 'really pleased' with Asia trip as she heads back to NZ https://t.co/CyLgdc9MgB pic.twitter.com/IuQDrnlulS
— 1News (@1NewsNZ) April 23, 2022
A fulfilling experience on my first overseas trip in two years
On the 23rd, Prime Minister Ardern departed Japan for her return journey to New Zealand. Her first overseas trip in two years, she spoke of her visit to Singapore and Japan.I am very satisfied. Trade (which was a major focus of this overseas trip) is very important, and the resumption of tourism is also very important, and above all, I was able to meet the leaders face-to-face.He commented.
I was also able to confirm that both Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Lee (of Singapore) share the same position on the international issues we currently face.
He said that even though traveling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic did not give him complete freedom, he was still able to accomplish a lot.
This year, Prime Minister Ardern will also travel to Europe, America, Asia and Australia to promote New Zealand exports and welcome tourists and international students.
