Ο ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΣ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΓΕΡΜΑΝΙΑΣ GUIDO WESTERWELLE ΣΕ ΠΕΡΙΟΔΕΙΑ ΣE ΙΑΠΩΝΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΚΙΝΑ ΣΥΝΟΔΕΥΟΜΕΝΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΣΥΝΤΡΟΦΟ ΤΟΥ MICHAEL MRONZ

Japanese irritated during Foreign Minister's visit

Who is the man at Guido Westerwelle's side?
By ROLF KLEINE (bild.de, 14/1/2010)
Guido Westerwelle could be in for a very good year after a special blessing in Japan.
The German Foreign Minister and FDP leader received the blessing yesterday at the start of his 22-hour trip to Japan at the Meiji shrine, one of the most important sanctuaries in the Shinto religion
And at his side was his partner Michael Mronz.
First of all the Minister had to wash his hands. The high priest said: “Who wants to step before the gods must have a clean heart and clean hands!”
The FDP leader then received a holy Tamagushi stick as he bowed, which he laid down on the high altar. Then a resounding mystical gong was sounded. There was sake rice wine at the end.
The priest said: “Now you will have good luck for the whole year…”
And Westerwelle may need it!
His aims in Japan are far from simple: Afghanistan (Japan only helps with civilian aid), Iran (like China, Japan is sceptical about sanctions), the German trade deficit (the country buys too much from Japan and sells too little).
And then there are Japan's delicate customs.
Even during the preparations for the trip, the Japanese were sceptical about the Minister wanting to bring his partner with him.
Have they been irritated by his presence?
A representative of the Japanese Foreign Ministry said: “Homosexuality in art circles is okay in Japan. But it is a taboo in business and politics.”
And Michael Mronz? He has been undertaking a programme typical for a foreign dignitary's partner, visiting a museum amongst others. He has paid for the trip himself.
He told BILD.de: “We have travelled together in the past. Guido now has a new job – not me…”