Mexico-Japan ties go on developing

Mexican ambassador lectures at Chuo

墨日関係はさらに発展する

―駐日メキシコ大使が中大で講演―

 

Ambassador Carlos Almada speaks during his lecture at the Chuo Tama campus on December 1. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office
Ambassador Carlos Almada speaks during his lecture at the Chuo Tama campus on December 1. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office

Mexican Ambassador to Japan Carlos Almada gave a special lecture at Chuo University on Dec. 1, highlighting the school’s International Week on Mexico held on November 28-December 3. The students who attended the lecture looked deeply impressed. The 500-seat hall in the No. 8 building of the Tama campus had been fully packed five minutes before the start of the lecture.

 メキシコをテーマに中央大学で開催された今年のインターナショナル・ウィーク(第8回)では、主要な企画のひとつとして、カルロス・アルマーダ駐日メキシコ大使の講演会が12月1日、開催された。学生たち大きな関心を示し、500人を収容できる8号館の大教室は、開始5分前から満席の盛況を呈した。

 

Ambassador Carlos Almada answers a question by a student during his lecture at Chuo University. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office
Ambassador Carlos Almada answers a question by a student during his lecture at Chuo University. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office

The ambassador began with a brief introduction of Mexico and dwelt on the history of its friendly relationships with Japan from a broad perspective of politics, culture and economy. After the lecture, a student referred to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had appealed “America first” during his campaign, and asked him, “What do you think about the global trend of protectionism?” In reply, the envoy said, “We live in an era where no countries can sustain their economy by themselves. World countries can solve the difficult problems they face by acting hand in hand with discretion. Mexico will show to the world its flexible friendly relations with Japan as a model case.”

アルマーダ大使の講演は、メキシコ合衆国の概要紹介から始まり、日本との友好の歴史を政治、文化、経済など幅広い分野にわたって論じた。この中で、1人の学生から米国第一を訴えて次期米大統領に選ばれたドナルド・トランプ氏を念頭に、「世界的な自国優先の風潮について大使はどう考えますか」と質問。これに答えて、アルマーダ大使は「世界経済は自国だけで完結する時代ではない。世界の国々が分別をもって協調することで我々が直面する難題は改善に向かう。メキシコは、日本との柔軟な友好関係を模範的事例として世界に呈示してゆきたい」と述べた。 

Ambassador Carlos Almada jokes and smiles after the end of his lecture at Chuo University. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office
Ambassador Carlos Almada jokes and smiles after the end of his lecture at Chuo University. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office

He concluded his lecture by telling students: “Continue your efforts to keep up your intellectual curiosity. I am sure our bilateral relations between Mexico and Japan will continue to develop. You are the persons who will play a core role in that process. Before anything else, I recommend you to visit Mexico. The destination of your honeymoon should be Cancun (a popular resort in southeastern Mexico).” He made his audiences feel relaxed after answering the serious question and casually promoted his country’s tourism.

 

最後に同大使は学生に向け、「知的好奇心をもって、努力を継続することが重要だ」とし、「メキシコと日本の関係はさらに発展する。君たちはそれを担う人材だ。まずはメキシコを訪れてほしい。新婚旅行はぜひ、カンクンへ(メキシコ南東部に所在し、高い人気を誇るリゾート地)」と、聴衆の気持ちをほぐしつつ、さりげなく自国の観光プロモーションもおこなった。

Mariachi band Saboten gives a performance at the lecture hall. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office
Mariachi band Saboten gives a performance at the lecture hall. Image from Chuo University Public Relations Office

The lecture was followed by a performance of Mexican music by a three-member mariachi band, “Saboten (meaning cactus in Japanese)”. It gave a boost to the friendly mood in the hall.

大使が講演を終えて降壇した後、マリアッチ演奏のトリオ「サボテン」が登場、メキシコ音楽の名曲を披露し、会場の友好ムードを盛り上げた。

 

(Written by: Hideki Kato)(加藤英樹)

白門ヘラルドのメキシコ大使カルロス・アルマーダ氏への独占インタビューは次のリンクからご覧いただけます。

Keen on developing friendships built by forerunners

Mexican ambassador tells Hakumon Herald

先人たちの築いた友好関係をさらに前進させたい

―アルマーダ駐日メキシコ大使に聞く―