Greetings from Ambassador Satoshi Iwasaki
2025/11/4
Greetings from Ambassador Iwasaki:
To the people of Cyprus and Japan, I am pleased to extend my warm greetings.
My name is Satoshi Iwasaki, and I have recently arrived from Tokyo to assume my post as Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Cyprus. Today, I presented my credentials to President Nikos Christodoulides and officially commenced my duties as Ambassador. I look forward to meeting and working with you all.
Throughout my nearly 60 years of life, I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to visit this country until now. Since my arrival at Larnaca Airport in mid-October, I have taken the opportunity to explore Nicosia, particularly the Old City surrounded by the Venetian walls. I have seen the beautiful coastline and historic churches in Larnaca, and the archaeological sites in Paphos on weekends using the public bus amidst my busy official duties. I also passed by the UN-controlled buffer zone and noticed the tense atmosphere along the Green Line which divides the capital city.
While exploring the cities in Cyprus, I have already experienced the warm kindness of the Cypriot people towards foreigners like myself and have been touched by the natural beauty and rich history of this country. During my tenure, I hope to further deepen my understanding of Cyprus and my affection for its people.
To the people of Japan, please take a moment to look at a map of the Mediterranean. Cyprus is an island located at the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, at a crucial crossroads between the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
Cyprus is an island about half the size of Shikoku in Japan, but its richness in history is evident with three UNESCO World Heritage sites registered.
Since mythical times when Zeus abducted Europa and Aphrodite was born from the sea-foam and emerged from the waters of Cyprus, this land has directly experienced the dynamism of world history over the past 2,000 years, including times under the Eastern Roman Empire, the Crusaders, Venice, Ottoman Turkey, and the British Empire, up to the present day where it remains divided.
I sincerely hope that more Japanese people will visit this island to discover the charm of Cyprus's nature, history, and people.
The Japanese Embassy in the Republic of Cyprus was established in January 2018. Since then, the two countries have been engaging in ongoing exchanges, for example the opening of the Sakura Park in Kambos village and the advancement of cooperation in the fields of research and innovation. Nevertheless, the span of about eight years seems merely “a decimal” when compared with the long histories of both Cyprus and Japan. I am confident that exchanges in various fields such as culture, economy, academia, and technology will further develop and deepen ties in the long history of both countries. During my term as ambassador, if I can contribute even slightly to advancing friendly relations between the two countries, there would be no greater joy as a diplomat.
I am committed to doing my utmost, with sincere dedication in my role, to further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Cyprus. In this regard, I would sincerely appreciate your continued cooperation, support, and guidance.
Satoshi Iwasaki
Ambassador of Japan to Cyprus
October 31, 2025
To the people of Cyprus and Japan, I am pleased to extend my warm greetings.
My name is Satoshi Iwasaki, and I have recently arrived from Tokyo to assume my post as Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Cyprus. Today, I presented my credentials to President Nikos Christodoulides and officially commenced my duties as Ambassador. I look forward to meeting and working with you all.
Throughout my nearly 60 years of life, I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to visit this country until now. Since my arrival at Larnaca Airport in mid-October, I have taken the opportunity to explore Nicosia, particularly the Old City surrounded by the Venetian walls. I have seen the beautiful coastline and historic churches in Larnaca, and the archaeological sites in Paphos on weekends using the public bus amidst my busy official duties. I also passed by the UN-controlled buffer zone and noticed the tense atmosphere along the Green Line which divides the capital city.
While exploring the cities in Cyprus, I have already experienced the warm kindness of the Cypriot people towards foreigners like myself and have been touched by the natural beauty and rich history of this country. During my tenure, I hope to further deepen my understanding of Cyprus and my affection for its people.
To the people of Japan, please take a moment to look at a map of the Mediterranean. Cyprus is an island located at the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, at a crucial crossroads between the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
Cyprus is an island about half the size of Shikoku in Japan, but its richness in history is evident with three UNESCO World Heritage sites registered.
Since mythical times when Zeus abducted Europa and Aphrodite was born from the sea-foam and emerged from the waters of Cyprus, this land has directly experienced the dynamism of world history over the past 2,000 years, including times under the Eastern Roman Empire, the Crusaders, Venice, Ottoman Turkey, and the British Empire, up to the present day where it remains divided.
I sincerely hope that more Japanese people will visit this island to discover the charm of Cyprus's nature, history, and people.
The Japanese Embassy in the Republic of Cyprus was established in January 2018. Since then, the two countries have been engaging in ongoing exchanges, for example the opening of the Sakura Park in Kambos village and the advancement of cooperation in the fields of research and innovation. Nevertheless, the span of about eight years seems merely “a decimal” when compared with the long histories of both Cyprus and Japan. I am confident that exchanges in various fields such as culture, economy, academia, and technology will further develop and deepen ties in the long history of both countries. During my term as ambassador, if I can contribute even slightly to advancing friendly relations between the two countries, there would be no greater joy as a diplomat.
I am committed to doing my utmost, with sincere dedication in my role, to further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Cyprus. In this regard, I would sincerely appreciate your continued cooperation, support, and guidance.
Satoshi Iwasaki
Ambassador of Japan to Cyprus
October 31, 2025