A ceremony was held on Nov. 24 to mark the completion of a 38.5 meter long iron bridge connecting Edo-machi in Nagasaki City to the site of the Dejima-Holland Trading Company. Prince and Princess Akishino attended the event along with Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands. The ceremony was attended by approximately 800 people. Prince Akishino spoke of how Dejima has gone on to become a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Dejima was a trading post under Dutch control from 1641 until 1853 and one of the Japan’s only points of contact with the Western world during the country’s years of seclusion. Princess Laurentien encouraged everyone to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and move forwards together. The bridge officially opened to the public on Nov. 25. Source: Nikkei Shimbun, 11/24/2017
Photo: Dejima Restoration Office
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