Greetings from Niall Matthews (in Brussels)

Hello to you all from the pale sun of Brussels. Well now it’s dark. I had really been hoping to join you all this weekend. I had already taken the vacation days weeks ago and I was keeping the possibility open right until the last minute but now it’s sure (it’s already Saturday Japan time!) that I won’t be able to make it.

I have been working in Brussels for the last few years. I was asked by the Commission to come to Brussels to help with the work on the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement (now called the Economic Partnership Agreement). Everything worked out well in the end. The agreement was signed in the summer and it should hopefully be ratified by Japan and by the European Parliament by the end of the year. Then from early next year import duties in both directions with a few sensitive exceptions will basically become zero. But that is quite enough about work.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Sayuri recently and we reminisced about those good old days! She is as elegant and kind as always.

I hope a reunion event next year in Europe works out.

My next trip to Tokyo with my beautiful Japanese wife will now be in June 2019. I can say that to you knowing that you are the only people who would understand that I couldn’t actually say it to a Japanese person (because as you know it would be like complimenting myself…)! Anyway I hope to be able to catch up with anyone who is around then.

It was really good to read your messages (hey Peter!) and to check out the site. Thanks especially to Anthony and to Dermot and to all of you who are keeping those懐かしいflames burning.

Warmest regards, fistbumps, hugs and kisses (I live in Belgium after all) to everyone. I will catch you next time.

Niall