YORK'S own Japan Day saw the city welcome a very special visitor.

His Excellency Masaki Orita, the Ambassador of Japan, today began a two-day tour of the city to increase cultural and industrial relations between his country and the North of England.

"York is a very important and beautiful city," he said.

"It is a wonderful combination of history and new development.

"It is also very important because of the railways, and it is wonderful to see the Shinkansen bullet train, one of Japan's finest, standing here at the National Railway Museum.

"As a young boy I wanted to be either a train driver or a Sumo wrestler, but that did not happen, and I became ambassador," he said.

He said the visit was a vital part in increasing relations between the two areas.

"Japan and York are increasingly working together, learning from each other, and I think it is a very important area to develop our connections and understanding."

His Excellency began his visit with a luncheon at York St John College hosted by principal Professor Dianne Willcocks, before being treated to a recital of Japanese tanka poetry by students Victoria Smith and Kate Robson.

"I think it is a very exciting day for York," said Professor Willcocks.

"Here we have a very senior ambassadorial representative who has taken a considerable amount of time to be with the people of York, and we are honoured to have him at the college."

The ambassador was also to visit the Minster and Bishopthorpe Palace, as well as seeing the Bullet train at the National Railway Museum, before his official reception at the Mansion House this evening.

Updated: 14:19 Thursday, October 16, 2003