<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The outgoing Japanese ambassador to Spain, Takahiro Nakamae, released a video on social media to say goodbye to his post after "three exciting years" in which relations between the two countries have experienced "remarkable progress."</strong></h4> "I'm at Barajas Airport, waiting for my flight to Tokyo," Nakamae says in the <a href="https://x.com/embajadorjpnesp/status/1984321962911420711">video</a>, released on October 31. "These have been three exciting years" in which "I've been able to visit many places, learn about their history, culture, and geography; I've met many friends with whom I've had a wonderful time, and I've enjoyed croquettes, churros with chocolate, cocido (a traditional Spanish stew), cheese, as well as the exquisite wines of each region," he continued. “Meanwhile, relations between our countries have made remarkable progress, but I remain hopeful that even more progress will be made in the future,” stated Takahiro Nakamae. “I am very grateful to all of you for having accompanied me throughout this time,” he added. “I will be transferring my X to Instagram accounts to my successor, who will arrive in a few weeks,” he announced. “I send you my best wishes. If we are lucky, we will see each other in Japan. A very different experience awaits you there, but just as beautiful as in Spain. Thank you all very much, and until next time,” he concluded. A diplomat since 1985, Takahiro Nakamae, 65, a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, had been stationed in Madrid since September 2022. Previously, he held various positions related to Latin America, including head of affairs for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as serving as Japan’s Consul General in São Paulo and Ambassador to Argentina. He also served at his country's Permanent Mission to the UN and was Director of Communications and Information at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His successor at the Embassy is 60-year-old Hiroshi Yamauchi, who joined the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987 and served as Director General of the Department's Intelligence and Analysis Service before assuming the post of Japan's ambassador to Argentina in September 2022. Interestingly, the outgoing ambassador, Takahiro Nakamae, had also been appointed ambassador to Spain immediately after his posting in Argentina, where he was replaced by his current successor in Madrid, Hiroshi Yamauchi.
