Addresses and Press ConferencesTheir Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown PrincessAddresses by His Imperial Highness the Crown PrinceAddress by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince 2004
Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
on the Occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the 19th World Congress
of the International Society for Digestive Surgery
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
Pacifico Yokohama, Kanagawa
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to address the 19th World Congress of the International Society for Digestive Surgery being held here today with the attendance of many experts from both Japan and abroad.
The advancement of science and technology has indeed been phenomenal in the 21st century. In the field of digestive surgery, I understand that intensive efforts are being made to treat hitherto intractable diseases and minimize treatment burden on patients, making use of the most advanced science and technology in various fields.
All of you gathered here today, through your work in digestive surgery, have a vital role to play in maintaining people's health, and I should like to express my respect for your diligence and efforts in medical care as well as in basic and clinical research.
With the rapid progress in information technology in recent years, the latest knowledge and expertise in digestive surgery can be promptly shared among people in many different countries. Through this Congress, I hope that you will be able to pool your wisdom and knowledge in order to realize the most appropriate diagnosis and treatment based on the knowledge and expertise thus shared.
I would like to close by expressing my wish that this Congress will serve as a venue for fruitful study, international exchange and education for all those involved in the field of digestive surgery, and contribute to the improvement of health care around the world.
Thank you.
Address by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince
at the Gala Dinner of the World Federation of Exchanges
44th General Assembly
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Imperial Hotel , Tokyo
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am very pleased that the World Federation of Exchanges 44th General Assembly was brought to a successful conclusion with the participation of representatives from exchanges around the world.
Three centuries have passed since the first securities market was established in the 17th century with the modernization of national economies, and securities markets have now developed to the point that they are regarded as "national assets" which are indispensable to the social and economic activities of individual countries.
Exchanges have several important tasks as the centers of securities markets, which directly connect securities issuers with investors who offer funds. These tasks include encouraging the active and accurate disclosure of information by companies, as well as deepening the public's understanding of securities investment.
I myself have long had great interest in water transportation. Hubs of water transportation are centers of trade, and it is there that commerce flourishes and securities markets, which support economic activities in the field of finance, exist. In fact, adjacent to the place where the Tokyo Stock Exchange stands are commercial areas which have prospered through the ages, and canals still exist there. Nearby there was also a landmark bridge called Kaiun-bashi, or "Marine Transportation Bridge." This is where the residence of the naval magistrate was located during the Edo Period. I find this fascinating.
In our world of today where the operations of securities markets cross borders and oceans and continue to broaden, I believe it is very meaningful that representatives of the leading exchanges in the world have convened to deepen mutual understanding. I hope that all gathered here today will make even further efforts toward developing securities markets from "national assets" into "global assets."
Thank you.
