Japanese culture, diplomacy, and technological innovation took center stage at the latest Ambassador Talk event hosted by MCC Szeged, where participants had the opportunity to engage in a thought provoking discussion with His Excellency Tetsuya Kimura, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary. The conversation was moderated by Patrícia Szalai, MCC student, who guided the discussion through a range of topics related to Japanese society, international cooperation, and diplomacy.
During the event, Ambassador Kimura highlighted the global significance of Japan’s content industry, particularly anime and manga, which have become some of the country’s most recognizable cultural exports worldwide. He also emphasized the importance of the technology sector, the automotive industry, and research and development, describing these fields as key pillars of the Japanese economy. According to the ambassador, these industries contribute not only to economic growth, but also to strengthening Japan’s international reputation and cultural influence.
The discussion also focused on Japan’s commitment to international cooperation and the importance of maintaining strong partnerships around the world. As an example of the close educational and cultural ties between Hungary and Japan, Ambassador Kimura referred to the Japanese language program at the University of Szeged, which operates with the support of the Japan Foundation. He also highlighted the growing number of student exchange opportunities available between the two countries. Today, more than one hundred Japanese students are studying at the university in Szeged, demonstrating the strength of bilateral educational relations.
Diplomacy was another key topic of the conversation. Ambassador Kimura described the profession as both highly responsible and deeply meaningful, emphasizing that ambassadors must effectively communicate their country’s positions and goals while representing national interests abroad. In his view, diplomatic service presents both significant professional challenges and a great personal honor.
The ambassador also shared several personal impressions from his visit to Szeged. Although he had spent only a short time in the city, he praised its distinctive architecture and atmosphere, describing Szeged as a beautiful and remarkable place. Reflecting on the Hungarian language, he noted that while it is difficult to learn, he quickly noticed similarities between Hungarian and Japanese grammatical structures. For Ambassador Kimura, discovering these linguistic parallels offered a fascinating insight into Hungarian culture and further deepened his appreciation for the country.
