Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Japan

H. E. Mr. Abdelkader LECHEHEB

　　Q1. Please introduce yourself and your works.

　　I was born in Oujda, and I carried my study in the university of Casablanca and Genova, where I got the Ph.D in international relations. Then I worked at minister of foreign affairs, it was chief negotiator of GAT matters, WTO, and chief of cabinet of the prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, and the ambassador to Canada, and the ambassador to Japan. This is very brief. And I wrote many articles of international trade, international law, concerning trade, GAT matters. And there was many times, as the panelist, for GAT, most of trade, policy mechanism of GAT, WTO. This is just the brief introduction of my profile.

　　In Morocco, I think the most important thing to underlie is tolerance, openness, also the respect of others. You know in Morocco, we have our geography we are far from Europe only for 40 kms, we have Mediterranean Sea, and Atlantic Sea. So until (the 1st century) 20th century, our minister of foreign affairs was called “minister of the sea.” Because Morocco is very open to other. This is why we are very rooted in the history, and very right now by our tolerance, tolerance in terms of religions. Despite we are Moslem, but we respect other religions, we are welcome many Jewish coming from Spain in 16th century. This is our characteristic that we are open, open-minded, and we are tolerant (examine) of others.

　　Q2. What is the most valuable culture and soul in your country?

　　In Morocco, I think the most important thing to underlie is tolerance, openness, also the respect of others. You know in Morocco, we have our geography we are far from Europe only for 40 kms, we have Mediterranean Sea, and Atlantic Sea. So until (the 1st century) 20th century, our minister of foreign affairs was called “minister of the sea.” Because Morocco is very open to other. This is why we are very rooted in the history, and very right now by our tolerance, tolerance in terms of religions. Despite we are Moslem, but we respect other religions, we are welcome many Jewish coming from Spain in 16th century. This is our characteristic that we are open, open-minded, and we are tolerant (examine) of others.

　　Q3. Is there a similar point, or unsimilar point with Japanese characters?

　　I think we have both of similarities and differences. It is obvious. We are the people of culture. Both of our countries, we are very keen to this alliance and harmonious between tradition and modernity, like Japan. We have many things in common. For example, tea ceremony. In Morocco, we have tea ceremony like Japan, etc. But of course there are some differences. Because Japan now is going little bit fast right now. Japan is little bit isolated. And it is a peninsular, island, so little bit isolated. But in Morocco, we are very open to others thanks to geographic position, etc. But I think that Japanese are very hospital, Japanese are courtesy, polite, etc. That is like Morocco. And I know that when Japanese visit to Morocco, they feel they are at home. So this is why there are a lot of similarities between Japan and Morocco. Because we are stick to our traditions, we are hospitality, tolerance, respect to others. And this is very important.

　　Q4. If there is a cultural gap between teenagers and elders, please tell us about it.

　　Yes, of course. I think this is the phenomenon maybe we can find in every country. Because, you know, this is the century of technology, information, communication. Things are going rapidly, very fast. And this is why there is the gap between teenagers and some elders. Of course, you know what you have, i-pod, playstation, you have many things. You are influenced by that.

　　So the elders don`t understand very well this language. It creates some problems of communication. Because, you know, in the past, it was not so rapid, time was slowly. Now it`s rapid. And even the language is changing thanks also to this globalization. Now, because of this means of communication, you have transportations, etc. So you are in Paris, you are in New York and young people are traveling, etc. So it creates some problems sort of that in terms of communication between teenagers and elders. But we find this, maybe it is different from country to country, but I think global, there is the same problem. It is the gap.

　　Q5. What action do you hope about Waseda Ambassador?

　　 I think she will visit to some African countries. So, in my opinion, there is the opportunity to know about Africa, to know the potential of Africa, to know the culture of Africa. And, you know that the Africa is not the monolotic grouping, you know, each African country has its own cultures, its own values, etc. So, I think this lucky woman, she should visit to many African countries to get precise idea about this culture and about the differences of Africa.

　　 Africa, yes, there are some common values. But I think we should understand more Africa. Africa is not only conflict, is not only poverty, but there are a lot of success stories in Africa. And I think this student should report this because I think there is very interesting scenery in Africa, beautiful scenery, a lot of potential in economic fields, social fields, for example. I think she should know about this valiety, or possibility in Africa.

　　Q6. Please give a message to students in Japan.

　　I know that Japanese students are very active, dynamic, and serious. And I think there are the time when they work hard. And I think, you know, there is the saying that “after effort, there is comfort.” I think we should work very hard, and then you will get a lot of satisfaction, because of education, promotion of many things. And I`m sure that the students in Japan are very serious. And they will get what they want finally. Because they inspire to have a good position concerning work, and many things. So I hope, they will be lucky, and they will get what they want. Now to all the aspirations.
Thank you.