Five years ago, as part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan, a partnership agreement was signed in Montreux between the Hayama Marina Yacht Club and the Société Nautique Montreux Clarens. On 18 May, upon invitation from Mr. Hiroto Arakawa, Chairman of the International Friendship Regatta, and Mr. Tsuneo Ishiwata, Chairman of Keikyu Corporation, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan, Jean-François Paroz and a team of the Embassy of Switzerland were present in Hayama for the International Friendship Regatta 2019. The Swiss sailors finished at an honorable fourth place.

The International Regatta was a pleasant opportunity to hold the sixth station of the Grand Tour of Switzerland in Japan, on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Hayama Marina Yacht Club, located South of Tokyo, has been established in 1964 to host the sailing competitions of the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. The sailing competitions of the Tokyo 2020 Games will take place in the same region, in Enoshima.