The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Japan, Mr. Martin Tomčo, visited the prefectures of Aomori and Iwate as part of the "Fukushima 10" project. This project is reminiscent of the tragic events that affected the area ten years ago. At that time, the Czech Republic offered help and carried out healing stays for Japanese children affected by the great earthquake in Tohoku. In total, there were three groups of children who came to the Czech Republic, from Namie (Fukushima Prefecture), Ofunato and Rikuzentakata (Iwate Prefecture) and Hachinohe (Aomori Prefecture).

The Ambassador first met with Mr. Makoto Kobayashi, Mayor of Hachinohe, in Hachinohe, and inaugurated a panel traveling exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Japan. We celebrated this anniversary last year, but with regard to the coronavirus pandemic, a panel exhibition prepared for this anniversary continues this year. The exhibition was already displayed in a total of twenty Japanese prefectures.

In Aomori prefecture, the Ambassador also met with Mr. Tadamori Oshima, Chairman of the House of Representatives and Honorary Chairman of the Preparatory Committee to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Japan. After that, a meeting was held with Ms. Eri Kiribuchi, an ambassador for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan, the panel exhibition of this anniversary also dedicated a part about her. Ms. Kiribuchi is a well-known Japanese hockey player who did not hesitate and spent several years in the Czech Republic to devote herself to her favorite sport – ice hockey.

The Ambassador also visited the Hachinohe Art Museum in Hachinohe city, which will reopen on November 3, 2021. The reopening of the museum is eagerly awaited by the public and the museum management is looking forward to offering a place where people can learn about art through creative workshops. Hachinohe is also associated with the winter season due to places dedicated to winter activities, which is why it is sometimes nicknamed "Ice City". The delegation of the embassy did not miss the opportunity to visit the FLAT HACHINOHE stadium, where the Ambassador had the opportunity to watch the training of hockey youth accompanied by the director of the hockey club "Free Blades" Mr. Chris Wakabayashi. Hockey is another link connecting Hachinohe with the Czech Republic, in 2019 the team of SPARTA club youth also took part in the Pee Wee International Ice Hockey Hachinohe Tournament matches in Hachinohe.

The Ambassador continued his visit by meeting with the President of the Daily Tohoku Shimbun, Mr. Kiyoshi Arase. Successful cooperation with this media company continues, such as the Czech Kinue Hitomi Award, which is traditionally presented by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic during the annual marathon, which takes place in May.

At the end of his trip, the Ambassador visited the town of Morioka, Iwate prefecture, and realized a courtesy visit to the Governor of Iwate prefecture, Mr. Takuya Tasso, with whom he discussed future cooperation between the prefecture and the Czech Republic. In Iwate prefecture, the Ambassador also visited the cities of Ofunato and Rikuzentakata, which were part of the "Fukushima 10" project, and his trip thus symbolically completed this project.