BERLIN (Kyodo) The opening ceremony to commemorate the 150th anniversary of friendship between Japan and Germany was held Wednesday at the Japanese Embassy in Berlin, with around 200 officials from both countries attending.
During the ceremony, German President Christian Wulff showed readiness to further promote the bilateral relationship that dates back to 1861, when Japan and Prussia signed a treaty of amity and commerce.
State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yutaka Banno expressed hope that the solid mutual ties will be passed on to future generations.
More than 200 commemorative events will be held in Germany throughout the year. A classic noh play was performed Wednesday by the Komparu school in Berlin.