Mr. Speaker, over the past 60 years Japan rebuilt itself as a peaceful nation and worked to be a positive presence on the international stage.
Canada is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Japan working to make the world a safer and more prosperous place for current and future generations.
Canada is particularly proud of the work that we are doing alongside Japan to help the people of Afghanistan to regain peace and stability in that country.
Both Canada and Japan are among the largest contributors to reconstruction and development in Afghanistan and we are encouraged by our strong people-to-people exchanges, nurtured through academic exchanges, commerce and tourism.
Over nearly 80 years of diplomatic relations are the result of hard work and the ability to resolve our differences. Canada is not one to turn a blind eye to injustices, but it also recognizes the importance of learning from the past and moving forward.