Ambassador Michii-san,

Mayors Tjapko Poppens and Marianne Schuurmans,

Your excellencies, distinguished guests,

dear friends from the business community I visited Japan so many times with, representing The Netherlands, gateway to Europe, representing The Amsterdam area, actually the better part of the Amsterdam area, Amstelveen,

but above all,

dear Christa, Fier and family,

Welcome to museum JAN – using my first name is a wonderful coincidence

Ambassador Michii just talked about his first meeting with Christa.

He then just arrived from Schiphol Airport.

This last meeting with Christa the ambassador came from … yes indeed: The Hague.

A few weeks ago I visited Japan again.

I met six former Japanese ambassadors to The Netherlands and CEO’s in Tokyo, and on request of the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague I accompanied ‘Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring’ to the Nakanoshima museum of Art in Osaka.

Together with imperial princess Aiko I attended the opening of the exposition. It was a great success. Many many Japanese people visited the museum. A few days ago the exposition closed.

Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is back, she sits just next to me… Christa.

Just kidding of course .

Dear all,

Some people build bridges.

Others dedicate their lives to maintaining them.

You have done both.

Christa, you and I go a long way back.

When I became Mayor of this city in 2005, you were already serving the municipality of Amstelveen. We quickly found common ground. We not only shared a background in law, but also a deep appreciation for Japan.

My own fascination with Japan began when I was a student in 1981. After winning an essay competition organised by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, I had the opportunity to travel there. That two-week journey left a lasting impression on me.

Your fascination with Japan developed through your work with Japanese business leaders at Canon, a company that chose Amstelveen as the location for its EMEA headquarters.

Although our paths to Japan were different, they led us to the same appreciation: admiration for a country that combines centuries-old traditions with relentless innovation.

For you, that appreciation became much more than an interest. It became your life’s work.

Together with many colleagues and partners across the region, we achieved a great deal during my time as Mayor of Amstelveen (2005-2013).

When I started here as mayor, I was immediately given business cards with my name printed on them, even in Japanese.

I was very proud of them and handed them out generously.

Until one of your Japanese business contacts pointed out a remarkable coincidence.

He found it quite amusing that the new mayor appeared to have exactly the same family name as the previous one.

Which, of course, was not the case.

Only then did we discover that the Japanese characters on my business card did not spell “Van Zanen” at all, but the name of my predecessor.

Dear Christa,

Back then, as Director of the Japan Desk at Amsterdam inBusiness, you proved to be precise, service-oriented and, one might even say, pleasantly stubborn.

You understood something many people overlook:
lasting cooperation begins with personal relationships.
Trust needs time to blossom.

You were always committed to the greater good: fostering strong relationships between Japanese and Dutch businesses, other organisations and our respective governments.

We made many trips together to achieve that.

We worked hard and laughed often.

As it should be.

When it became clear that Japanese expatriates were looking for specialised medical services, you helped convince the local hospital to establish a Japan Desk, and I helped convince the Minister of Health.

Teamwork, as always.

But you understood that it is not only the body that needs care.

The soul does too.

That is why you initiated cultural events for the Japanese community in the Amsterdam region, such as the Japan Festival, Japanese kindergarden, Japanese dentist, the Cherry Blossom Festival, raising money after the tsunami hit Japan, inviting Sumo wrestlers (walking around in the Bijenkorf) and even Sinterklaas.

Whether it was healthcare, culture or business, your focus was always the same: helping people find one another.

In your next role as Director of the Dutch & Japanese Trade Federation, DUJAT, you continued that work with the same dedication and determination. Of course with the help of president Luc Houben and Jinn – she could be here, I wish her the best.

You kept strengthening a relationship that matters deeply to both our countries.

So it is fair to say that you have more than earned your retirement.

Your successor, Claartje Bouwers, has big shoes to fill, and I wish her every success in doing so.

But Christa, first we need to be certain that you are really leaving.

I say this for a reason. Because in my experience, you sometimes have a tendency to stay a little longer than expected.

Once, the late Deputy Mayor Theo Tiemessen, you and I were attending an official dinner at the Japanese Residence.

But when it was time to leave, you were nowhere to be found.

Eventually, a search party discovered that you had become trapped in the ladies’ room behind a door that refused to open.

It took some effort, and a little damage, to get you out safely and allow us all to depart.

We laughed about it afterwards, and that is exactly what I wish for you today.

Dear Christa,

Be proud of all you have accomplished.

Look back with a smile.

And look forward with confidence and joy to all that lies ahead.

Because if there is one thing your career has shown, it is that bringing people together leaves a lasting mark.

And we are all better for it.

Love you very much.

Thank you.