HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam safely arrived in Tokyo, Japan, to attend the Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit on December 13 and 14, 2013.

His Majesty is accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

Upon arrival at the Tokyo International Airport (Haneda), His Majesty was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office; Awang Haji Mahamud bin Haji Ahmad, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan; and Kenichi Suganuma, Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty was also greeted by a representative from the Tokyo International Airport as well as security and liaison officers from the Government of Japan.

His Majesty then boarded a motorcade towards the Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo, where His Majesty will reside throughout the summit. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Jens Moesker, the General Manager of the hotel.

Asean and Japan mark the 40th anniversary of dialogue relations in 2013. Asean and Japan’s cooperative partnership began in 1973. Through the years, Asean and Japan have forged close cooperation towards peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia. They have established close business partnership with total bilateral trade amounting to US$248 billion in 2011. Asean member states are major foreign direct investment destinations for Japanese enterprises.

For 2013, Japan and Asean member states have carried out exchange projects in a wide range of fields, including political dialogue, economy, culture, youth, and tourism. Exchange programmes of concerned organisations and private sectors are encouraged, as are collaborative activities by government and private sectors.

Also accompanying His Majesty was Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Earlier in the day, before His Majesty left the Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar to bid farewell to His Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, as well as other members of the royal family.

Also present at the hangar were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Cheterias; the Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet Ministers; members of the Privy Council; deputy ministers; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; and the Commissioner of Police; as well as a representative from the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam. - Borneo Bulletin (13 December 2013)