The Unveiling Ceremony for Seychelles Postal Services’ 165th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp
2026/10/6
On October 5, 2026, during the week of World Post Day, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Seychelles, an unveiling ceremony was held for Seychelles Postal Services’ 165th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Pierre Laporte, Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Amanda Bernstein, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Alain de Commarmond, Secretary of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Mrs. Josy Ita Michaud-Payet, Mayor of Victoria, Ambassador Bernard Shamlaye, former Minister for Education, former Minister for Culture and Social Development, Ms Tessa Henderson, Vice chairperson of Seychelles Postal Services, Ms Mariella Buisson, Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Postal Services, among others.
At the outset of his remarks, Ambassador Sakuta offered his congratulations on the 165th anniversary of Seychelles Postal Services. He went on to note that the stamp design features a photograph of a post office building taken by Mr. Samuel Shingow Ohashi, a photographer from Miyazu City in Kyoto Prefecture who was active in Seychelles about 120 years ago. He said he was deeply impressed that, in this milestone year marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Seychelles, a photograph taken by a Japanese photographer has—after more than a century—been brought back into the public eye as a stamp, and he expressed his gratitude to Seychelles Postal Services.
Ambassador Sakuta also remarked that at the 28th Universal Postal Congress held last September, Japan and Seychelles were elected to both the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, and Mr. METOKI Masahiko of Japan was re-elected as Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau. He stated that it is very gratifying that, through the UPU, both countries are actively contributing to the international postal sector.
During the ceremony, a congratulatory message from Miyazu City Mayor KIZAKI Masafumi was read on his behalf. In his message, the mayor said that the love for Seychelles that Mr. Ohashi saw through his camera lens has transcended time and, in the form of a commemorative stamp, has become a symbol of friendship between the two countries—an immense source of joy and pride for Miyazu City. He expressed hope that the beautiful scenes captured by Mr. Ohashi, now as stamps, will once again travel through Seychelles and around the world, connecting people’s hearts. Following the message, a Miyazu City tourism video was screened.
On this memorable occasion, we sincerely hope that relations between Japan and Seychelles will continue to advance and that the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow even stronger.
At the outset of his remarks, Ambassador Sakuta offered his congratulations on the 165th anniversary of Seychelles Postal Services. He went on to note that the stamp design features a photograph of a post office building taken by Mr. Samuel Shingow Ohashi, a photographer from Miyazu City in Kyoto Prefecture who was active in Seychelles about 120 years ago. He said he was deeply impressed that, in this milestone year marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Seychelles, a photograph taken by a Japanese photographer has—after more than a century—been brought back into the public eye as a stamp, and he expressed his gratitude to Seychelles Postal Services.
Ambassador Sakuta also remarked that at the 28th Universal Postal Congress held last September, Japan and Seychelles were elected to both the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council, and Mr. METOKI Masahiko of Japan was re-elected as Director General of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Bureau. He stated that it is very gratifying that, through the UPU, both countries are actively contributing to the international postal sector.
During the ceremony, a congratulatory message from Miyazu City Mayor KIZAKI Masafumi was read on his behalf. In his message, the mayor said that the love for Seychelles that Mr. Ohashi saw through his camera lens has transcended time and, in the form of a commemorative stamp, has become a symbol of friendship between the two countries—an immense source of joy and pride for Miyazu City. He expressed hope that the beautiful scenes captured by Mr. Ohashi, now as stamps, will once again travel through Seychelles and around the world, connecting people’s hearts. Following the message, a Miyazu City tourism video was screened.
On this memorable occasion, we sincerely hope that relations between Japan and Seychelles will continue to advance and that the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow even stronger.