On Wednesday 3rd July 2024, the Japan-Sweden Society (JSS) held a reception for Ambassador Pereric Högberg and his wife Anna at the Matsuya Salon of the Tokyo Daijingu to bid farewell to them. The event, attended by JSS members and their guests, was moderated by Managing Director Stefan Nilsson.
At the outset, Acting President Seiji Morimoto welcomed the couple and attendees in his opening remarks. He introduced the couple’s achievements to the audience, noting that one of the highlights during their tenure was the visit of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria to Japan in October 2019. This visit, in which they participated in the enthronement of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, gave a significant impetus, according to the Acting President, to further strengthening the bilateral relations between Japan and Sweden, including in the security areas. Vice President Carl Eklund praised the charming personalities of the couple.
The Ambassador, in his speech, reflected on their five-year tenure in Japan, expressing that he and Anna fully enjoyed their time in the country. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic limiting their social activities for a period, they made efforts to connect with many people within Japanese society and travelled extensively throughout Japan, with Hokkaido being one of their favourites. He acknowledged the long history of friendship between Japan and Sweden, highlighting the celebration of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2018.
Ambassador Högberg noted a recent positive trend of deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields such as peace and security, science and innovation, higher education, global issues such as climate change and renewable energy, pop culture and tourism.
After their successful stay in Japan, Ambassador Högberg and Anna returned home in mid-July. Before their departure, the Ambassador was conferred the Grand Corden of the Order of the Rising Sun on 16 July in the name of the Emperor of Japan.