Shocked by the terrible images of the attack in Moscow, that has killed and injured dozens of people. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

Due to heavy snowfall it took a while to locate the only Dutch #wargrave above the #Polar circle, in #Murmansk. I was happy to eventually be able to visit the grave of Marinus ter Laak who died there in 1942. And reassured to see that it is being well kept by his hosts. Oorlogsgravenstichting

Different cultures: in the #Netherlands you keep your number plates on your car when you park it illegally, to show you don’t care about paying the fine; but in #Moscow you take them off – not because you can’t pay, but you just don’t care a hoot about rules and regulations.

As usual, spring is greeted by an extensive cleaning of the centre of #Moscow. All streets and pavements are thoroughly rinsed with large quantities of soap and water, in order to get rid of any remnants of sand, salt or chemicals after their daily use against snow and ice.

We held a sober #Kingsday reception at the residence in #Moscow. The guest list grows shorter every year. Under the present circumstances, however, celebrating our presence and commitment to our norms and values is all the more necessary.

The oldest, strongest safe at the #Embassy has allegedly not been opened for decades. Before we leave #Moscow in a few days’ time, I wanted to make sure it didn’t hide an ancient formula to end the present #war and restore #justice (the most precious content imaginable). Alas…

We’re in the departure lounge at #Moscow Vnukovo Airport, at the end of a posting that turned out to be quite different from what we expected - just as our first stay here when the #Soviet Union broke up. Thanks for following me, please hang on for our next adventures in…#Tokyo

We landed in #Tokyo two weeks ago and hit the ground running. Busy meeting new colleagues in- and outside the #embassy, and getting to know this amazing like-minded country that looks similar but is so different at the same time. Ready for new #adventures!

My first visit outside of #Tokyo was, of course, to follow our historical footprints in #Japan: Hirado and #Decima (the artificial island in Nagasaki). From 1641 until 1859 the Dutch were the only western traders with Japan and thus its cultural and scientific window on the west.

My visit in #Nagasaki coincided with a visit of HNLMS #Tromp. This great frigate is on a worldwide journey because nowadays security in the #TransAtlantic and the #IndoPacific is indivisible - and to underline the importance of free passage in international waters.

#Flowers and #football: two #Dutch passions united in my back garden with the ceremonial planting of bulbs of a new special lily named after Shinji #Ono, the famous player for #Feyenoord 20 years ago (#UEFA cup 2002).

My first time aboard the #Shinkansen, the famous #bullet train that can reach 320 km/h. This time to #Osaka, to discuss the preparations for the #Netherlands pavilion at the World #Expo 2025. We’re right on track! bit.ly/3VHUiVm

The Nederlands Dans Theater #NDT1 visited Japan again after five years and received critical acclaim for their performances of modern dance. Representing many nationalities, the dancers are a great exponent of #Dutch values such as #freedom, liberty, #openness. Real ambassadors!

Had the privilege to present to His Majesty the #Emperor my Letter of Credence. An ancient tradition in the Imperial #Palace reflected in an elaborate, dignified procedure. And a moment of introspection, realizing that I am only the last in a long row of Dutch envoys to #Japan.

In #Japan it is sadly necessary to be prepared for #earthquakes: protect yourself, colleagues, families and be able to support others and the #Dutch community afterwards. Thus a need to #exercise in #emergency situations: the quake simulator (looks easier than it actually is…)

Dutch ambassadors all around the world are being much assisted in their work by the popularity of #Dutch #soccer, also in #Japan. I had the privilege of presenting the prizes in the 38th (!) ‘Dutch Ambassadors Cup Junior High School #Football Tournament’ in our neighborhood.

#EU embassies in #Tokyo took part in a beach cleaning operation with Japanese NGOs. Alas, one small problem: there was no #trash to be found, as this is #Japan. Squeaky clean beaches here!

I belong to a generation that has lived in #peace and #prosperity - and I have an enormous respect for the #survivors of the World War 2 camps in the then Netherlands-Indies who accept the extended hand of #Japan and visit this country for the Peace Exchange Program 2024.

Hosted a meeting to encourage Dutch participation at the #Expo 2025 in #Osaka. The Expo and Dutch participation will focus on international cooperation to confront global challenges such as #climate change and #energy transition. We’re on track; are you? NLexpo2025.nl