Foreign relations of Japan

Results of 2017 BBC World Service poll^[1]
Views of Japan's influence by country
(sorted by pos − neg)

Country polled	Positive	Negative	Neutral	Pos − Neg
China	22%	75%	3	-53
Spain	39%	36%	25	3
Turkey	50%	32%	18	18
Pakistan	38%	20%	42	18
India	45%	17%	38	28
Russia	45%	16%	39	29
Peru	56%	25%	19	31
Nigeria	57%	24%	19	33
United Kingdom	65%	30%	5	35
Mexico	59%	23%	18	36
Kenya	58%	22%	20	36
Germany	50%	13%	37	37
Indonesia	57%	17%	26	40
United States	65%	23%	12	42
France	74%	21%	5	53
Brazil	70%	15%	15	55
Australia	78%	17%	5	61
Canada	77%	12%	11	65

The foreign relations of Japan (日本の国際関係, Nihon no kokusai kankei) are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Japan maintains diplomatic relations with every United Nations member state except for North Korea, in addition to UN observer states Holy See, as well as Kosovo, Cook Islands and Niue.

Japanese foreign relations had earliest beginnings in the 14th century and after their opening to the world in 1854 with the Convention of Kanagawa. Japan rapidly modernized and built a strong military. It was imperialistic seeking control of nearby areas—with major wars against China and Russia. It gained control of parts of China and Manchuria, as well as Korea and islands such as Taiwan and Okinawa. It lost in World War II and was stripped of all of its foreign conquests and possessions. See History of Japanese foreign relations. American general Douglas MacArthur, acting for the Allied powers, supervised occupied Japan 1945–51. Since occupation ended diplomatic policy has been based on close partnership with the United States and seeking trade agreements, In the Cold War, Japan was demilitarized but it allied with the U.S. in the confrontation with the Soviet Union. It played a major support role in the Korean War (1950–1953). In the rapid economic developments in the 1960s and 1970s, Japan was one of the major economic powers in the world.

By the 1990s Japan participated in the Peacekeeping operations by the UN, and sent troops to Cambodia, Mozambique, Golan Heights and the East Timor.^[2] After the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001, Japanese naval vessels have been assigned to resupply duties in the Indian Ocean to the present date. The Ground Self-Defense Force also dispatched their troops to Southern Iraq for the restoration of basic infrastructures.

Foreign policy

Main article: Foreign policy of Japan

Beyond its immediate neighbors, Japan has pursued a more active foreign policy in recent years, recognizing the responsibility which accompanies its economic strength.^[3] Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stressed a changing direction in a policy speech to the National Diet: "Japan aspires to become a hub of human resource development as well as for research and intellectual contribution to further promote cooperation in the field of peace-building."^[4] This follows the modest success of a Japanese-conceived peace plan which became the foundation for nationwide elections in Cambodia in 1998.^[3]

History

Main article: History of Japanese foreign relations

Links

• Foreign relations of Meiji Japan
• International relations of the Great Powers (1814–1919)
• Diplomatic history of World War I
• International relations (1919–1939)
• Causes of World War II
• Diplomatic history of World War II
• Cold War
  • History of Sino-Japanese relations, China
  • France–Japan relations
  • Germany–Japan relations
  • Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, 1930–1945
  • History of Japan–Korea relations
    • Japan–North Korea relations
    • Japan–South Korea relations
  • Japanese foreign policy on Southeast Asia
  • Japan–Russia relations
    • Japan–Soviet Union relations
  • Japan–United Kingdom relations
  • Japan–United States relations

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Japan maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date^[5]
1	Russia	7 February 1855^[6]
2	Netherlands	30 January 1856^[6]
3	United States	29 July 1858^[6]
4	United Kingdom	26 August 1858^[6]
5	France	9 October 1858^[6]
6	Portugal	3 August 1860^[6]
7	Germany	24 January 1861^[6]
8	Switzerland	6 February 1864^[6]
9	Belgium	1 August 1866^[6]
10	Italy	25 August 1866^[6]
11	Denmark	1 January 1867^[6]
12	Sweden	11 January 1868^[6]
13	Spain	12 November 1868^[6]
14	Austria	18 October 1869^[6]
15	Peru	21 August 1873^[7]
16	Serbia	1882^[8]
17	Thailand	26 September 1887^[9]
18	Mexico	30 November 1888^[10]
19	Brazil	5 November 1895^[11]
20	Argentina	3 February 1898^[12]
21	Greece	1 June 1899^[13]
22	Romania	18 June 1902^[14]
23	Panama	7 January 1904^[15]
24	Norway	7 November 1905^[16]
25	Colombia	25 May 1908^[17]
26	Bolivia	13 April 1914^[18]
27	Ecuador	August 1918
28	Poland	22 March 1919
29	Finland	24 May 1919^[19]
30	Paraguay	17 November 1919^[20]
31	Czech Republic	12 January 1920^[21]
32	Uruguay	24 September 1921^[22]
33	Egypt	1922^[23]
34	Turkey	March 1925
35	Luxembourg	November 1927
36	Canada	31 January 1928^[24]
37	Iran	4 August 1929^[25]
38	Cuba	21 December 1929^[26]
39	Ethiopia	18 November 1930^[27]
40	Afghanistan	26 July 1931^[28]
41	Dominican Republic	November 1934^[29]
42	El Salvador	15 February 1935^[30]
43	Guatemala	20 February 1935^[31]
44	Costa Rica	February 1935
45	Honduras	February 1935
46	Nicaragua	February 1935
47	Venezuela	19 August 1938^[32]
48	Bulgaria	2 October 1939^[33]
49	Iraq	1939
50	Australia	17 August 1940^[34]
—	Holy See	March 1942^[35]
51	India	28 April 1952
52	New Zealand	28 April 1952^[36]
53	Pakistan	28 April 1952^[37]
54	Sri Lanka	April 1952
55	Israel	15 May 1952^[38]
56	Chile	7 October 1952
57	Syria	December 1953^[39]
58	Cambodia	4 May 1954^[40]
59	Jordan	14 July 1954^[41]
60	Lebanon	November 1954
61	Myanmar	1 December 1954^[42]
62	Laos	5 March 1955^[43]
63	Saudi Arabia	7 June 1955^[44]
64	Sudan	6 January 1956
65	Haiti	April 1956
66	Tunisia	June 1956
67	Philippines	July 1956
68	Nepal	1 September 1956^[45]
69	Iceland	8 December 1956^[46]
70	Morocco	1956
71	Ireland	5 March 1957^[47]
72	Ghana	6 March 1957
73	Malaysia	31 August 1957^[48]
74	Libya	1957
75	Indonesia	20 January 1958^[49]
76	Guinea	14 November 1958
77	Hungary	29 August 1959^[50]
78	Togo	27 April 1960
79	Democratic Republic of the Congo	30 June 1960
80	Madagascar	5 July 1960
81	Benin	1 August 1960
82	Republic of the Congo	1 August 1960
83	Ivory Coast	7 August 1960
84	Central African Republic	13 August 1960^[51]
85	Gabon	17 August 1960
86	Nigeria	1 October 1960
87	Senegal	4 October 1960
88	Mauritania	29 November 1960^[52]
89	Burkina Faso	1960
90	Cameroon	1960
91	Chad	1960
92	Niger	1960
93	Somalia	1960
94	Sierra Leone	27 April 1961
95	Liberia	September 1961
96	Kuwait	December 1961
97	Tanzania	1961
98	Mali	18 January 1962^[53]
99	Cyprus	June 1962
100	Burundi	1 July 1962
101	Rwanda	1 July 1962
102	Algeria	28 November 1962^[54]
103	Uganda	1962
104	Jamaica	16 March 1964^[55]
105	Trinidad and Tobago	22 May 1964^[56]
106	Kenya	1 June 1964^[57]
107	Malawi	July 1964
108	Zambia	October 1964
109	Gambia	18 February 1965
110	Malta	15 July 1965^[58]
111	South Korea	18 December 1965^[59]
112	Singapore	26 April 1966^[60]
113	Botswana	September 1966
114	Barbados	29 August 1967^[61]
115	Maldives	14 November 1967^[62]
116	Equatorial Guinea	12 November 1968
117	Guyana	11 June 1969^[63]
118	Mauritius	22 October 1969^[64]
119	Tonga	July 1970
120	Yemen	22 September 1970
121	Fiji	15 October 1970^[65]
122	Eswatini	May 1971
123	Lesotho	July 1971
124	Mongolia	24 February 1972
125	Bangladesh	February 1972
126	Bahrain	2 May 1972^[66]
127	United Arab Emirates	4 May 1972^[66]
128	Oman	8 May 1972^[66]
129	Qatar	9 May 1972^[66]
130	China	29 September 1972
131	Nauru	December 1972^[67]
132	Samoa	27 March 1973^[68]
133	Vietnam	21 September 1973^[69]
134	Guinea-Bissau	1 August 1974
135	Bahamas	11 March 1975^[70]
136	Grenada	April 1975
137	Cape Verde	11 July 1975
138	São Tomé and Príncipe	22 July 1975
139	Papua New Guinea	16 September 1975^[71]
140	Seychelles	29 June 1976^[72]
141	Angola	September 1976
142	Suriname	2 November 1976^[73]
143	Mozambique	January 1977
144	Comoros	14 November 1977
145	Djibouti	24 August 1978^[74]
146	Solomon Islands	1 September 1978^[75]
147	Dominica	12 November 1978^[76]
148	Tuvalu	30 April 1979^[77]
149	Saint Lucia	11 January 1980^[78]
150	Kiribati	21 March 1980^[79]
151	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	15 April 1980^[80]
152	Zimbabwe	April 1980
153	Vanuatu	8 January 1981^[81]
154	Albania	March 1981
155	Antigua and Barbuda	4 October 1982^[82]
156	Belize	3 November 1982^[83]
157	Brunei	2 April 1984^[84]
158	Saint Kitts and Nevis	14 January 1985^[71]
159	Bhutan	28 March 1986
160	Federated States of Micronesia	5 August 1988^[85]
161	Marshall Islands	9 December 1988^[86]
162	Namibia	21 March 1990^[87]
163	Estonia	10 October 1991
164	Latvia	10 October 1991
165	Lithuania	10 October 1991^[88]
166	South Africa	13 January 1992^[89]
167	Belarus	26 January 1992
168	Kazakhstan	26 January 1992
169	Kyrgyzstan	26 January 1992
170	Uzbekistan	26 January 1992
171	Ukraine	26 January 1992
172	Tajikistan	2 February 1992
173	Moldova	16 March 1992
174	Turkmenistan	22 April 1922^[90]
175	Georgia	3 August 1992
176	Armenia	7 September 1992
177	Azerbaijan	7 September 1992
178	Slovenia	12 October 1992^[91]
179	Slovakia	3 February 1993
180	Croatia	5 March 1993
181	Eritrea	31 August 1993^[92]
182	North Macedonia	1 March 1994^[93]
183	Palau	2 November 1994^[94]
184	Andorra	20 October 1995^[95]
185	Bosnia and Herzegovina	9 February 1996
186	San Marino	27 May 1996^[96]
187	Liechtenstein	June 1996^[97]
188	East Timor	20 May 2002
189	Montenegro	16 June 2006
190	Monaco	14 December 2006^[98]
—	Kosovo	25 February 2009
—	Cook Islands	16 June 2011^[99]
191	South Sudan	9 July 2011^[100]
—	Niue	4 August 2015^[101]

Bilateral relations

Africa

Japan is increasingly active in Africa. In May 2008, the first Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize will be awarded at Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV),^[102] which signals a changing emphasis in bilateral relations.

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Algeria	1962	See Algeria–Japan relations
Angola	September 1976	See Angola–Japan relations Angola–Japan relations were established in September 1976, shortly after Angola received formal sovereignty. As of 2007, economic relations played "a fundamental role in the bilateral relations between the two governments".^[103] News World Centers^[104]
Egypt	1922	See Egypt–Japan relations Japan considers Egypt to be a key player in the Middle East and, as such, sees Egypt as a vital part of its diplomacy in the region.^[105] The two heads of government have been known to support each other on issues pertaining to the peace process in the Middle East.^[106] Additionally, the two countries claim to share a common vision for world peace.^[107] The two countries maintain a "Joint Committee" dedicated to exploring developments in areas of mutual interest to the two countries.^[108]
Kenya	1963	See Japan–Kenya relations Japan has an embassy in Nairobi. Kenya has an embassy in Tokyo.
Libya	1957	See Japan–Libya relations Japan has an embassy in Tripoli. Libya has an embassy in Tokyo.
Madagascar	5 July 1960	See Foreign relations of Madagascar Japan has an embassy in Antananarivo. Madagascar has an embassy in Tokyo.
Nigeria	1 October 1960	See Japan-Nigeria relations Japan and Nigeria engage in strong economic and political cooperation. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1960.^[109]
Somalia	July 1960	See Japan–Somalia relations
South Africa	1910	See Japan–South Africa relations Japan has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Tokyo.
Tunisia	June 1956	See Foreign relations of Tunisia Japan and Tunisia have a mutual free visa agreement. Japan has an embassy in Cité Mahrajène, Tunis.^[110] Tunisia has an embassy in Kudanminami, Chiyoda, Tokyo.^[111]

Americas

Main article: Japan–Latin America relations

Japan has continued to extend significant support to development and technical assistance projects in Latin America.^[112]

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Argentina	3 February 1898	See Argentina–Japan relations Argentina maintains an embassy in Tokyo and Japan maintains an embassy in Buenos Aires. Diplomatic relations were restored by the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1952. Argentine president Arturo Frondizi visited Japan in 1960, and subsequently bilateral trade and Japanese investment into Argentina have increased in importance. Japanese imports were primarily foodstuffs and raw materials, while exports were mostly machinery and finished products. Members of the Imperial Family of Japan have visited Argentina on a number of occasions, including Prince and Princess Takamado in 1991, Emperor and Empress Akihito in 1997 and Prince and Princess Akishino in 1998. Argentine President Raúl Alfonsín visit Japan in 1986, as did President Carlos Menem in 1990, 1993 and 1998.
Barbados	29 August 1967^[113]	See Barbados–Japan relations Japan was accredited to Barbados from its embassy in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) and an honorary consulate in Bridgetown. Since January 2016, Japan opened a new embassy directly in Bridgetown, Barbados. Barbados is represented towards Japan through a non-resident ambassador in Bridgetown.
Bolivia	3 April 1914	See Bolivia–Japan relations Bolivia has an embassy in Tokyo.^[114] Japan has an embassy in La Paz and a consular office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.^[115] There are around 15,000 Bolivians who are of Japanese descent. (See also Japanese Bolivians)
Brazil	1895	See Brazil–Japan relations Brazil has an embassy in Tokyo and consulates-general in Hamamatsu and Nagoya.^[116] Japan has an embassy in Brasília and consulates-general in Belém, Curitiba, Manaus, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and consular offices in Recife and Porto Alegre.^[117]
Canada	21 January 1928^[113]	See Canada–Japan relations Diplomatic relations between both countries officially began in 1950 with the opening of the Japanese consulate in Ottawa. In 1929, Canada opened its Tokyo legation, the first in Asia;^[118] and in that same year, Japan its Ottawa consulate to legation form.^[119] Some Canadian–Japanese contacts predate the mutual establishment of permanent legations. The first known Japanese immigrant to Canada, Manzo Nagano, landed in New Westminster, British Columbia in 1877.^[120] Japan's consulate in Vancouver was established in 1889, 40 years before its embassy was opened in Ottawa in 1929.^[121] Canadians G. G. Cochran helped in founding Doshisha University in Kyoto, and Davidson McDonald helped in establishing Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo.^[119] In the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, a Canadian steamship, the RMS Empress of Australia and her captain, Samuel Robinson achieved international acclaim for stalwart rescue efforts during the immediate aftermath of that disaster.^[122] Canadian military attaché Herbert Cyril Thacker served in the field with Japanese forces in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05), for which the Japanese government awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class^[123] and the Japanese War medal for service during that campaign.^[124] Canada and Japan have had diplomatic relations since 1928. Both countries are characterized by their active role in the Asia-Pacific community, as well as a relationship consisting of important economic, political, and socio-cultural ties. As major international donors, both Canada and Japan are strongly committed to promoting human rights, sustainable development and peace initiatives. Canada–Japan relations are underpinned by their partnership in multilateral institutions: the G-7/8; the United Nations; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Quad (Canada, the European Union, Japan and the United States), and by their common interest in the Pacific community, including participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Canada in 2009.^[125]
Chile	25 September 1897	See Chile–Japan relations During World War II, relations between both countries were severed. In 1943, President Juan Antonio Ríos suspended relations with Japan and in February 1945, he declared a "state of belligerancy". Finally, on 12 April 1945, Chile declared war against Japan. Relations were re-established by the signing of San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1952. Japan has an embassy in Santiago de Chile Chile has an embassy and a consulate-general in Tokyo and three honorary consulates in Osaka, Sapporo and Nagasaki.
Colombia	25 May 1908	See Colombia–Japan relations The relationship was officially established in 1908, only interrupted between 1942 and 1954 with the surge of World War II. Relations are mostly based on commercial trade that has favored Japan interests such as Colombian coffee (which Japan imports a lot), cultural exchanges and technological and philanthropic aid to Colombia.^[126]
Ecuador	26 August 1918	See Ecuador–Japan relations
Mexico	30 November 1888^[113]	See Japan–Mexico relations The Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation concluded in 1888 between Japan and Mexico was the nation's first "equal" treaty with any country;^[127] which overshadows Tokugawa Ieyasu's pre-Edo period initiatives which sought to establish official relations with the New Spain in Mexico.^[128] In 1897, the 35 members of the so-called Enomoto Colonization Party settle in the Mexican state of Chiapas. This was the first organized emigration from Japan to Latin America.^[127] President Álvaro Obregón was awarded Japan's Order of the Chrysanthemum at a special ceremony in Mexico City. On 27 November 1924, Baron Shigetsuma Furuya, Special Ambassador from Japan to Mexico, conferred the honor on Obregón. It was reported that this had been the first time that the Order had been conferred outside the Imperial family.^[129] In 1952, Mexico becomes the second country to ratify the San Francisco Peace Treaty, preceded only by the United Kingdom.^[127] Mexico and Japan on 17 September 2004, signed the "Agreement Between Japan and The United Mexican States for the Strengthening of The Economic Partnership." This was the among many historic steps led by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to strengthen global economic stability.
Paraguay	17 November 1919	See Japan–Paraguay relations Commercial relations started prior to the establishment of diplomatic relations. Trade agreement was signed in Asuncion on 17 November 1919.^[130] Japan has an embassy in Asuncion.^[131] Paraguay has an embassy in Tokyo.^[132] There are around 10,000 Paraguayans who are of Japanese descent, whose ancestors came to Paraguay between 1936 and 1959. (See also Japanese Paraguayans) Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Paraguay
Peru	21 August 1873	See Japan–Peru relations Japan has an embassy in Lima.^[133] Peru has an embassy in Tokyo and a consulate-general in Nagoya.^[134]
Trinidad and Tobago	May 1964	See Japan–Trinidad and Tobago relations
United States	29 July 1858^[113]	See Japan–United States relations   Yasuo Fukuda and George W. Bush The United States is Japan's closest ally, and Japan relies on the U.S. for its national security to a high degree. As two of the world's top three economic powers, both countries also rely on close economic ties for their wealth, despite ongoing and occasionally acrimonious trade frictions.^[135]^[136] After Japan's defeat in World War II, the Japanese-ruled Northern Mariana Islands came under control of the United States.^[137]^[138] Although its constitution and government policy preclude an offensive military role for Japan in international affairs, Japanese cooperation with the United States through the 1960 U.S.–Japan Security Treaty has been important to the peace and stability of East Asia.^[3] Currently, there are domestic discussions about possible reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution.^[3] All postwar Japanese governments have relied on a close relationship with the United States as the foundation of their foreign policy and have depended on the mutual security treaty for strategic protection.^[3] The relationship probably hit a post-war nadir around the early 1990s, when Japan's "economic rise" was seen as a threat to American power. Japan was the primary financier of the Gulf War, yet received major criticism in some US circles for its refusal to commit actual military support. Following the collapse of the so-called Bubble economy and the 1990s boom in the US, the Japanese economy was perceived as less of a threat to US interests. Some observers still feel that Japan's willingness to deploy troops in support of current US operations in Iraq, as spearheaded by Koizumi and the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, reflects a vow not to be excluded from the group of countries the US considers friends. This decision may reflect a realpolitik understanding of the threat Japan faces from a rapidly modernizing China, which from its continued and indeed growing pattern of anti-Japanese demonstrations reveals the belief that old historical scores remain unsettled.
Uruguay	24 September 1921	See Japan–Uruguay relations Japan has an embassy in Montevideo.^[139] Uruguay has an embassy in Tokyo. There are several thousand people of Japanese descent living in Uruguay. (See also Japanese Uruguayans) Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Uruguay
Venezuela	19 August 1938	See Japan–Venezuela relations Formal diplomatic relations between the countries were established in August 1938.^[140] Venezuela broke off diplomatic ties with Japan (and the other Axis Powers) in December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.^[141] In 1999, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez made a three-day trip to Japan. He made another two-day trip in 2009, during which he met Prime Minister Taro Aso. In February 2019, Japan recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelan legitimate president.^[142]

Asia

Results of 2013 Pew Research Center poll^[143]
Asia/Pacific views of Japan by country
(sorted by fav − unfav)

Country polled	Positive	Negative	Neutral	Pos − Neg
China	4%	90%	6	-86
South Korea	22%	77%	1	-55
Pakistan	51%	7%	42	44
Philippines	78%	18%	4	60
Australia	78%	16%	6	62
Indonesia	79%	12%	9	67
Malaysia	80%	6%	14	74

Southeast Asia

 

Embassy of Indonesia in Japan

By 1990 Japan's interaction with the vast majority of Asia-Pacific countries, especially its burgeoning economic exchanges, was multifaceted and increasingly important to the recipient countries.^[144] The developing countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarded Japan as critical to their development. Japan's aid to the ASEAN countries totaled US$1.9 billion in Japanese fiscal year (FY) 1988 versus about US$333 million for the United States during U.S. FY 1988.^[144] As of the late 1980s, Japan was the number one foreign investor in the ASEAN countries, with cumulative investment as of March 1989 of about US$14.5 billion, more than twice that of the United States.^{[144][needs update]} Japan's share of total foreign investment in ASEAN countries in the same period ranged from 70 to 80 percent in Thailand to 20 percent in Indonesia.^[144]

In the late 1980s, the Japanese government was making a concerted effort to enhance its diplomatic stature, especially in Asia.^[144] Toshiki Kaifu's much publicized spring 1991 tour of five Southeast Asian nations—Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines—culminated in a 3 May major foreign policy address in Singapore, in which he called for a new partnership with the ASEAN and pledged that Japan would go beyond the purely economic sphere to seek an "appropriate role in the political sphere as a nation of peace."^[144] As evidence of this new role, Japan took an active part in promoting negotiations to resolve the Cambodian conflict.^[144]

In 1997, the ASEAN member nations and the People's Republic of China, South Korea and Japan agreed to hold yearly talks to further strengthen regional cooperation, the ASEAN Plus Three meetings. In 2005 the ASEAN plus Three countries together with India, Australia and New Zealand held the inaugural East Asia Summit (EAS).

South Asia

In South Asia, Japan's role is mainly that of an aid donor.^[144] Japan's aid to seven South Asian countries totaled US$1.1 billion in 1988.^{[144][needs update]} Except for Pakistan, which received heavy inputs of aid from the United States, all other South Asian countries received most of their aid from Japan as of the early 1990s.^{[144][needs update]} Four South Asian nations—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka—are in the top ten list of Tokyo's aid recipients worldwide as of the early 1990s.^{[144][needs update]} A point to note is that Indian Government has received no aid since the 2004 Tsunami that struck India but Indian registered NGOs look to Japan for much investment in their projects.^[145]

Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu signaled a broadening of Japan's interest in South Asia with his swing through the region in April 1990.^[144] In an address to the Indian parliament, Kaifu stressed the role of free markets and democracy in bringing about "a new international order," and he emphasized the need for a settlement of the Kashmir territorial dispute between India and Pakistan and for economic liberalization to attract foreign investment and promote dynamic growth.^[144] To India, which was very short of hard currency, Kaifu pledged a new concessional loan of ¥100 billion (about US$650 million) for the coming year.^[144]

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Afghanistan	19 November 1930^[113]	See Afghanistan–Japan relations Afghan–Japanese relations have existed as far back as World War II, and have been mainly positive. The Japanese government in 1974 started feasibility study under grant aid to develop and built television in Afghanistan.
Azerbaijan	27 January 1992	See Azerbaijan–Japan relations
Bahrain	15 May 1974	See Bahrain–Japan relations
Bangladesh	February 1972^[113]	See Bangladesh–Japan relations Bangladeshi–Japanese relations were established in February 1972.^[146] Japan is Bangladesh's 11th-largest export market; imports from Bangladesh make up 26% of all Japanese imports from the least developed countries, second only to those from Cambodia. Common imports from Bangladesh to Japan include leather goods, ready-made garments, and shrimp.^[147] By 2004, Japan had become Bangladesh's fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment, behind the United States, United Kingdom, and Malaysia. Japan's political goals in its relationship with Bangladesh include gaining support for their bid to join the United Nations Security Council, and securing markets for their finished goods. Japan is a significant source of development aid to Bangladesh.^[148]
Bhutan	28 March 1986^[113]	See Bhutan–Japan relations
Brunei	2 April 1984^[113]	See Brunei–Japan relations Brunei has an embassy in Tokyo, and Japan has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.^[149] Relations has been established since 2 April 1984.^[149]
Cambodia	1953^[113]	See Cambodia–Japan relations Japan has an embassy in Phnom Penh. Trade is sizable between the two countries: Japan to Cambodia: 14.0 billion yen (2006) Cambodia to Japan: 9.5 billion yen (2006) Japanese investment in Cambodia includes Phnom Penh Commercial Bank, a joint venture of Hyundai Switzerland and Japanese SBI Group, opened in 2008. Japan remains Cambodia's top donor country providing some US$1.2 billion in total overseas development assistance (ODA) during the period since 1992.^[150] In 2006, Japanese and Cambodian governments signed an agreement outlining a new Japanese aid program worth US$59 million.^[151] The Japanese Government has provided significant assistance for demining and education.^[152]^[153]
China	1972^[113]	See China–Japan relations   Embassy of Japan in Beijing During the Meiji Era, China was one of the first countries to experience the effects of Japanese Imperialism. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, relations with Japan changed from hostility and an absence of contact to cordiality and extremely close cooperation in many fields. During the 1960s the two countries resumed trade for the first time since World War II under the Liao–Takasaki Agreement. On 29 September 1972, Japan and China signed a treaty establishing diplomatic relations between the states. The 1990s led to an enormous growth in China's economic welfare. Trade between Japan and China was one of the many reasons China was able to grow in the double-digit rates during the 1980s and 1990s. Japan was in the forefront among leading industrialized nations in restoring closer economic and political relations with China. China and Japan's bilateral relationship has often been referred to as "politically cold and economically warm". The two countries have been able to keep their political issues separate in hopes of being able to continue to benefit from each other's economic success and prosperity. Resumption of Japan's multibillion-dollar investments to China and increased visits to China by Japanese officials, culminating in the October 1992 visit of Emperor Akihito, gave a clear indication that Japan considered closer ties with China in its economic and strategic interest. Despite a 1995 apology regarding World War II by Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, tensions still remain, mostly because many Chinese feel there is a lack of true remorse for wartime crimes committed by Imperial Japanese forces. This has been reinforced by numerous visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Prime Ministers, attempts to revise textbooks by Japanese nationalists, the continued dispute over Japan's atrocities in the Nanking Massacre, and the resurgence of nationalism and militarism in Japan. The resurgence of Japan's nationalism has changed widespread feelings about China among citizens. During the post-war period, many Japanese people acknowledged and appreciated China's influence on their culture and the country's achievements. However, the approval rate of the country began to go down due to a lack of acknowledgement of Japan's past economic contribution to China's development as China grew to be one of the largest economies in east Asia, China's military and economic growth and what that would mean for the possibility of growth in Japan, and the 2004 anti-Japanese nationalism protests in China, Relations between China and Japan have also been strained due to territory politics such as fights over The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands continue. Because the two are highly engaged economically, the countries try to keep their issues at bay but, as social disapproval increases and disagreements drawn out, it is possible the relationship between the two countries could shift.
East Timor	20 May 2002^[113]	See East Timor–Japan relations
India	28 April 1952^[113]	See India–Japan relations   Indian, Japanese and US naval warships take part in a military exercise near Bōsō Peninsula in 2007. India is one of the only three nations with whom Japan has a security pact, the other two being the United States and Australia.^[154] Throughout history, bilateral foreign relations between Japan and India have generally been friendly and strong. In December 2006, Prime Minister Singh's visit to Japan culminated in the signing of the "Joint Statement Towards Japan–India Strategic and Global Partnership". According to Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's arc of freedom theory, it is in Japan's interests to develop closer ties with India, world's most populous democracy, while its relations with China remain chilly. To this end, Japan has funded many infrastructure projects in India, most notably in New Delhi's metro subway system and Maruti.India and Japan have signed a deal to build high speed trains in India^[155] Indian applicants have been welcomed in 2006–07 to the JET Programme, starting with just one slot available in 2006 and 41 in 2007. India and Japan signed a security cooperation agreement in which both will hold military exercises, police the Indian Ocean and conduct military-to-military exchanges on fighting terrorism, making India one of only three countries, the others being the United States and Australia, with which Japan has such a security pact. Japan is aiding India in building the High Speed Railway by giving India money and there are plans to export Japan's Shinkansen to India. ^[154] There are 25,000 Indians in Japan as of 2008.
Indonesia	April 1958^[113]	See Indonesia–Japan relations Indonesia has an embassy in Tokyo and a consulate in Osaka. Japan has an embassy in Jakarta, consulate-general in Surabaya, and consulates in Medan, Denpasar, Makassar. Japan is Indonesia's largest export partner. Both countries are members of the G20 major economies and APEC.
Iran	1878	See Iran–Japan relations Japan's foreign policy towards and investments in Iran have historically been dominated by the desire to secure reliable energy supplies; Iran is Japan's third-largest oil supplier after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.^[156] Iran and Japan signed a visa-free travel arrangement in 1974, but it was terminated in April 1992 due to large-scale illegal Iranian migration to Japan.^[157] Iran and Japan also cooperate on regional foreign policy issues in the Middle East, such as the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.^[158] Since 2004, Japan has been working on developing Iran's largest on-shore oil field, located at Azadegan.^[159]
Israel	15 May 1952	See Israel–Japan relations The Japanese government refrained from appointing a Minister Plenipotentiary to Israel until 1955. Relations between the two states were distant at first, but after 1958, as demand no break occurred. This had been at the same time that OPEC had imposed an oil embargo against several countries, including Japan. Recently ties between Israel and Japan have strengthened significantly, with many mutual investments between the two nations. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visited Israel twice – once in 2015^[160] and a second time in 2018.^[161] Israel has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Tel Aviv and an honorary consulate in Jerusalem.
Jordan	14 July 1954	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1954.^[162] Japan is one of Jordan's biggest donors.^[163]
Laos	5 March 1955^[113]	See Japan-Laos relations
Lebanon	November 1954	The embassy of Japan in Lebanon is located in the Serail Hill Area, Army Street, Zokak El-Blat, Beirut. The current ambassador is Yoshihisa Kuroda.^[164] The embassy of Lebanon in Japan is located in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo.^[165] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Japan–Lebanon Relations
Malaysia	31 August 1957^[113]	See Japan–Malaysia relations Japan has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and consulates in George Town and Kota Kinabalu. Malaysia maintains an embassy in Tokyo. The Japanese and Malaysian governments had visited each other on multiple occasions. Notable visits include the King of Malaysia visiting Japan in 2005 while in 2006, the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Malaysia.
Maldives	6 November 1967^[113]	See Japan–Maldives relations
Mongolia	1972^[113]	See Mongolia–Japan relations Japan has an embassy in Ulaanbaatar.^[166] Mongolia has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs- Mongolia Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Japan (in Mongolian)
Myanmar	1 December 1954^[113]	See Japan–Myanmar relations
Nepal	28 July 1956^[113]	See Japan–Nepal relations Japan has an embassy in Kathmandu. Nepal has an embassy in Tokyo.
North Korea	^[113]	See Japan–North Korea relations No formal relations have been established between Japan and North Korea, though Japanese politicians have occasionally visited North Korea. Relations between Japan and North Korea have been historical hostile with incidents of confrontation.^[167] Japan strongly supports the U.S. in its efforts to encourage North Korea to abide by the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).^[3] Despite 31 August 1998 North Korean missile test which overflew the Home Islands, Japan has maintained its support for the Korean Energy Development Organization (KEDO) and the Agreed Framework, which seeks to freeze the North Korean nuclear program.^[3] The U.S., Japan, and South Korea closely coordinate and consult trilaterally on policy toward North Korea, at least on a government level.^[3] Japan has limited economic and commercial ties with North Korea. Japanese normalization talks halted when North Korea refused to discuss a number of issues with Japan.^[3]
Pakistan	28 April 1952^[113]	See Japan–Pakistan relations There has been a regular exchange of high level visits between the two countries. The 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, jointly celebrated by the two countries in 2002, was a significant landmark in the history of this friendship. There are at least 10,000 Pakistanis residing in Japan.
Philippines	July 1956^[113]	See Japan-Philippines relations Relations between Japan and the Philippines were generally very strong since the end of World War II. It span a period from before the 16th century to the present. The Philippines gained independence from the United States in 1946. Diplomatic relations were re-established in 1956, when a war reparations agreement was concluded. By the end of the 1950s, Japanese companies and individual investors had begun to return to the Philippines and in 1975, Japan displaced the United States as the main source of investment in the Philippines.
Qatar	1972	See Japan–Qatar relations
Saudi Arabia	June 1955	See Japan–Saudi Arabia relations Saudi Arabian – Japan relations were established during the past half a century. Saudi–Japanese relations are based on mutual respect and common interests in all areas.
Singapore	26 April 1966^[113]	See Japan–Singapore relations
South Korea	December 1965^[113]	See Japan–South Korea relations Japan and South Korea have had many disputes. Former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun rejected a conference with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi following his visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. Many Koreans thought the presence of the Minister attending was a clear indication of the lack of respect and accountability Japan has done regarding the historical story of Japanese imperialism. Protests occurred in South Korea with citizens demanding the President to moblize and respond to the Japanese minister's offense and lack of remorse. Other long-running issues between the two countries include The Sea of Japan naming dispute, territorial disputes over the Liancourt Rocks theses disputes are long lasting effects of nationalistic feelings that overtime leaders have been able to use as part of political agenda. For Koreans, feelings of hope are also intermingled with deep rooted hostility towards the Japanese neighbors who once occupied their country and who still claim the islets as theirs. Takeshima is "indisputably an inherent part of the territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law", says the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It adds that the Republic of Korea has been occupying Takeshima with "no basis in international law," and that it will continue to seek the settlement "in a calm and peaceful manner". Additionally, disagreement about whether or not the matter of World War II-era forced prostitution has been resolved, so tensions between both countries have at times escalated situations surrounding elections and economic trade deals which have impacted both positive and negative interactions. While there has been compensation to the women and the families of the sex slave genuine polices to resolve the issue still arises during talks of cooperation especially since some are still living and the fact that many Japanese historical textbooks change the number of women or tend to ignore the very fact why the state is anti-military it was because of the abuses that occurred during the imperial times which makes cooperation between the two difficult. But with recent change in leadership and the objective to build up their trust we have seen talks of positive interactions moving forward.
Sri Lanka	1952^[113]	See Japan–Sri Lanka relations Japan has an embassy in Colombo.^[168] Sri Lanka has an embassy in Tokyo^[169]
Syria	December 1953	Japan has an embassy in Damascus Syria has an Embassy of Syria in Tokyo.
Taiwan	1952^[113]	See Japan–Taiwan relations Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 and was a major Japanese prefecture in World War II. Following the unconditional surrender of Japan to Allied Powers after World War II, Taiwan was relinquished by Japan as a stolen territory from China (like Manchukuo) by the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951. Current relations are guided by the 1972 Japan–PRC Joint Communique. Since the joint Communique, Japan has maintained non-governmental, working-level relations with Taiwan. Japan refers to the Republic of China on Taiwan with the neutral name "Taiwan."
Thailand	26 September 1887^[113]	See Japan–Thailand relations Japan–Thailand relations span a period from the 17th century to the present. Contacts had an early start with Japanese trade on Red seal ships and the installation of Japanese communities on Siamese soil, only to be broken off with Japan's period of seclusion. Contacts resumed in the 19th century and developed to the point where Japan is today one of Thailand's foremost economic partners. Thailand and Japan share the distinction of never having lost sovereignty during the Colonial period.
Turkey	1890s	See Japan–Turkey relations First embassies were opened in 1925. Japan has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.^[170] Turkey has an embassy in Tokyo.^[171] There are 10,000 Turks living in Japan. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Japan
Vietnam	21 September 1973^[113]	See Japan–Vietnam relations Vietnamese–Japanese relations stretch back to at least the 16th century, when the two countries engaged in friendly trade. Modern relations between the two countries are based on Vietnam's developing economy and Japan's role as an investor and foreign aid donor.

Europe

 

34th G8 summit (Tōyako Town, Hokkaidō)

In what became known as the Tenshō embassy, the first ambassadors from Japan to European powers reached Lisbon, Portugal in August 1584. From Lisbon, the ambassadors left for the Vatican in Rome, which was the main goal of their journey. The embassy returned to Japan in 1590, after which time the four nobleman ambassadors were ordained by Alessandro Valignano as the first Japanese Jesuit fathers.

A second embassy, headed by Hasekura Tsunenaga and sponsored by Date Masamune, was also a diplomatic mission to the Vatican. The embassy left 28 October 1613 from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, in the northern Tōhoku region of Japan, where Date was daimyō. It traveled to Europe by way of New Spain, arriving in Acapulco on 25 January 1614, Mexico City in March, Havana in July, and finally Seville on 23 October 1614. After a short stop-over in France, the embassy reached Rome in November 1615, where it was received by Pope Paul V. After return travel by way of New Spain and the Philippines, the embassy reached the harbor of Nagasaki in August 1620. While the embassy was gone, Japan had undergone significant change, starting with the 1614 Osaka Rebellion, leading to a 1616 decree from the Tokugawa shogunate that all interaction with non-Chinese foreigners was confined to Hirado and Nagasaki. In fact, the only western country that was allowed to trade with Japan was the Dutch Republic. This was the beginning of "sakoku", where Japan was essentially closed to the western world until 1854.

Modern era

 

Embassy of Japan in Bratislava, Slovakia

The cultural and non-economic ties with Western Europe grew significantly during the 1980s, although the economic nexus remained by far the most important element of Japanese – West European relations throughout the decade.^[144] Events in West European relations, as well as political, economic, or even military matters, were topics of concern to most Japanese commentators because of the immediate implications for Japan.^[144] The major issues centred on the effect of the coming West European economic unification on Japan's trade, investment, and other opportunities in Western Europe.^[144] Some West European leaders were anxious to restrict Japanese access to the newly integrated European Union, but others appeared open to Japanese trade and investment.^[144] In partial response to the strengthening economic ties among nations in Western Europe and to the United States–Canada–Mexico North American Free Trade Agreement, Japan and other countries along the Asia-Pacific rim began moving in the late 1980s toward greater economic cooperation.^[144]

On 18 July 1991, after several months of difficult negotiations, Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu signed a joint statement with the Dutch prime minister and head of the European Community Council, Ruud Lubbers, and with the European Commission president, Jacques Delors, pledging closer Japanese – European Community consultations on foreign relations, scientific and technological cooperation, assistance to developing countries, and efforts to reduce trade conflicts.^[144] Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials hoped that this agreement would help to broaden Japanese – European Community political links and raise them above the narrow confines of trade disputes.^[144]

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Albania	April 1922; re-established in 1981	See Albania–Japan relations Albania and Japan resumed established diplomatic relations in March 1981.^[172] Albania has an embassy in Tokyo.
Armenia	7 September 1992	See Armenia–Japan relations Armenia has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Yerevan. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Armenia
Austria	18 October 1869	See Austria–Japan relations Austria has an embassy in Tokyo and 4 honorary consulates (in Hiroshima, Nagoya, Osaka and Sapporo). Japan has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Salzburg.
Belgium	1 August 1866	See Belgium–Japan relations
Bulgaria	1890s	See Bulgaria–Japan relations Bulgaria has an embassy in Tokyo and an honorary consulate in Yokohama.^[173] Japan has an embassy in Sofia.^[174] Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Bulgaria
Croatia	5 March 1992	See Croatia–Japan relations
Czech Republic	12 January 1920	See Czech Republic–Japan relations^[175]
Denmark	1867	See Denmark–Japan relations
European Union	1959	See Japan–European Union relations
Finland	6 September 1919	See Finland–Japan relations Finland has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Helsinki.
France	9 October 1858	See France–Japan relations The history of Franco–Japanese relations (日仏関係, Nichi-Futsu kankei) goes back to the early 17th century, when a Japanese samurai and ambassador on his way to Rome landed for a few days in Southern France, creating a sensation. France and Japan have enjoyed a very robust and progressive relationship spanning centuries through various contacts in each other's countries by senior representatives, strategic efforts, and cultural exchanges.
Georgia	3 August 1992	See Georgia–Japan relations Japan has extended foreign aid to Georgia for various economic and cultural development projects. The balance of trade between the two nations is heavily in favor of Japan, with Japan exporting automobiles and manufactured goods, and Georgia exporting food products and chemicals. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze made an official visit to Japan in March 1999 and President Mikheil Saakashvili visited Japan in March 2007. Since November 2006, Georgia has maintained an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Tbilisi. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relations with Georgia
Germany	24 January 1861	See Germany–Japan relations Regular meetings between the two countries have led to several cooperations. In 2004 German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi agreed upon cooperations in the assistance for reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan,^[176]^[177] the promotion of economic exchange activities,^[178] youth and sports exchanges^[179] as well as exchanges and cooperation in science, technology and academic fields.^[180]
Greece	June 1899	See Greece–Japan relations There has been a Greek embassy in Tokyo since 1960, and a Japanese embassy in Athens since the same year, when it was decided to upgrade the Japanese Consulate which had opened in 1956. Since then the two countries have enjoyed excellent relations in all fields, and cooperate closely.^[181]
Holy See	March 1942	See Holy See–Japan relations The first Papal visit to Japan took place in 1981. the present Apostolic Nuncio to Japan is Joseph Chennoth (since 2011) Japan first sent an ambassador, Ken Harada, to the Vatican during World War II.
Hungary	1921	See Hungary–Japan relations Hungary has an embassy in Tokyo and two honorary consulates (in Hamamatsu and Osaka).^[182] Japan has an embassy in Budapest.^[183] Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Hungary
Iceland	8 December 1956	See Iceland–Japan relations Iceland has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Reykjavík.
Ireland	March 1957	See Ireland–Japan relations Ireland has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Dublin.
Italy	25 August 1866^[184]	See Italy–Japan relations Italy has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Rome. Foreign Affairs Ministers of both nation held informal talks on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tokyo in early November 2023.
Kosovo	25 February 2009	See Japan–Kosovo relations Japan recognised it on 18 March 2008.^[185] The first Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Kosovo is Akio Tanaka. He is subordinate to the Japanese Embassy in Vienna, Austria.^[186]
Liechtenstein	June 1996^[97]	See Japan–Liechtenstein relations Japan has an honorary consulate in Schaan. The two countries signed a tax treaty in 2012.^[187]
Lithuania	1919;10 October 1991	See Japan–Lithuania relations Japan has an embassy in Vilnius, established in 1997.^[188] In 1998, Lithuania has an embassy in Tokyo.^[189] Ambassador to Lithuania is Miyoko Akashi, ambassador to Japan is Dainius Kamaitis. In 2007 the Emperor and Empress of Japan Akihito and Michiko paid an official visit in Lithuania.
Malta		See Japan–Malta relations Malta has a consulate in Tokyo. Japan has a consulate in Valletta.
Moldova	16 March 1992	Japan has a non-resident ambassador in Ukraine. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Tăbăcaru paid a visit to Japan from 31 January to 4 February 1999. It was a first official visit of a Cabinet Member of the Republic of Moldova to Japan. The visit has strengthened the friendly relations between Japan and the Republic of Moldova. Since 2000 Japan implements in Moldova the grant programme for the improvement of agriculture and private farming. Japanese ministry of foreign affairs about Moldova
Montenegro	24 July 2006	See Japan–Montenegro relations Japan recognised Montenegro on 16 June 2006 and established diplomatic relations on 24 July 2006. Montenegro had declared war on Japan in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War and never signed a peace treaty until 2006, shortly before the opening of diplomatic relations. The war lasted for 101 years. Trade, mostly related to electronics, exports from Japan to Montenegro (163 million yen per annum) outweigh Japan's imports (2 million yen per annum). Japan is accredited to Montenegro from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. Montenegro is accredited to Japan from its embassy in Beijing, China.
Netherlands	1609	See Japan–Netherlands relations The relations between Japan and the Netherlands after 1945 have been a triangular relationship. The invasion and Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies during World War II brought about the destruction of the colonial state in Indonesia, as the Japanese removed as much of the Dutch government as they could, weakening the post-war grip the Netherlands had over the territory. Under pressure from the United States, the Netherlands recognised Indonesian sovereignty in 1949 (see United States of Indonesia). Japan has an embassy in The Hague. Netherlands has an embassy in Tokyo.
Norway	1905–11	See Foreign relations of Norway Japan has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in Tokyo.
Poland	March 1919	See Japan–Poland relations Japan has an embassy in Warsaw. Poland has an embassy in Tokyo
Portugal	3 August 1860	See Japan–Portugal relations See also: Category:Japan–Portugal relations
Romania	18 June 1902	See Foreign relations of Romania#Asia: East Asia The first representation of Romania in Japan was opened in 1921.^[190] Japan was represented in Romania through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). After World War II, both states resumed their diplomatic relations in 1959. Japan has an embassy in Bucharest.^[191] Romania has an embassy in Tokyo and four honorary consulates (in Atami, Osaka, Nagoya and Yokohama).^[192] Japanese Ministry of Foreign affairs about relations with Romania
Russia	7 February 1855	See Japan–Russia relations Japan's relations with Russia are hampered by the two sides' inability to resolve their territorial dispute over the four islands that make up the Northern Territories (Kuriles), which the Soviet Union seized towards the end of World War II.^[3] The stalemate has prevented conclusion of a peace treaty formally ending the war.^[3] The dispute over the Kuril Islands exacerbated the Japan–Russo relations when the Japanese government published a new guideline for school textbooks on 16 July 2008 to teach Japanese children that their country has sovereignty over the Kuril Islands. The Russian public was outraged by the action the Foreign Minister of Russia criticized the action while reaffirming its sovereignty over the islands.^[193]
Serbia	reestablished in 1952	See Japan–Serbia relations Japan has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Tokyo and an honorary consulate in Osaka.
Slovenia	12 October 1992	Japan has an embassy in Ljubljana.^[194] Slovenia has an embassy in Tokyo.^[195] Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Slovenia
Spain	First contact in 1584, officialized in 1868. Relations were broken on 11 April 1945 and reestablished in 1952	See Japan–Spain relations Japan has an embassy in Madrid and consulates in Barcelona and Las Palmas. Spain has an embassy in Tokyo. Since 1997, every year a Japan–Spain Symposium for the cultural exchange between the two countries is held. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Spain
Sweden	1868^[113]	See Japan–Sweden relations Japan has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Tokyo.
Switzerland	6 February 1864	Japan has an embassy in Bern and a general consulate in Geneva.^[196]^[197] Switzerland has an embassy in Tokyo. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Japan
Ukraine	26 January 1992	See Japan–Ukraine relations Japan extended diplomatic recognition to the Ukrainian state on 28 December 1991, immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union Ukraine maintains an embassy in Tokyo.^[198] Japan maintains an embassy in Kyiv.^[199]
United Kingdom	14 October 1854	See Japan–United Kingdom relations The relationship between the United Kingdom and Japan began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams (Adams the Pilot, Miura Anjin) on the shores of Kyūshū at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture. During the Sakoku period (1641–1853) there were no relations, but the treaty of 1854 saw the resumption of ties which, despite the hiatus of the Second World War, remain very strong in the present day. Today, the United Kingdom views Japan as its closest ally in the Asia Pacific region, while Japan views the UK as its closest ally in Europe.

Oceania

See also: Japan–Oceania relations

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Australia	1947^[113]	See Australia–Japan relations   Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada (left), U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (centre) and Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith (right), in 2009 Australia–Japan relations have generally warm as well as acknowledged mutuality of strong interests, beliefs and friendship, and has since continued to grow strongly over the years.^[citation needed] However, memories of World War II linger^[144] among the older members of the Australian public,^[citation needed] as does a contemporary fear of Japanese economic domination over countries, particularly Australia,^[144] although such fears have fallen off in response to Japan's economic stagnation in the 1990s.^[citation needed] At the same time, government and business leaders see Japan as a vital export market and an essential element in Australia's strong future growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.^[144] Australia is also a major source of food and raw materials for Japan.^[144] In 1988 Australia accounted for 5.5 percent of total Japanese imports, a share that held relatively steady in the late 1980s.^[144] Due to its ability to export raw materials, Australia had a trade surplus with Japan.^[citation needed] Australia was the largest single supplier of coal, iron ore, wool, and sugar to Japan in 1988.^[144] Australia is also a supplier of uranium.^[citation needed] Japanese investment by 1988 made Australia the single largest source of Japanese regional imports.^[144] Resource development projects in Australia attracted Japanese capital, as did trade protectionism by necessitating local production for the Australian market.^[144] Investments in Australia totaled US$8.1 billion in 1988, accounting for 4.4 percent of Japanese direct investment abroad.^[144] There is some tension regarding the issue of whaling.^[citation needed]
Fiji	1 October 1970^[113]	See Fiji-Japan relations Japan has an embassy in Suva and Fiji has an embassy in Tokyo.
New Zealand	1952^[113]	See Japan–New Zealand relations   New Zealand Prime Minister Keith Holyoake (left) met with Japanese Foreign Minister Masayoshi Ohira (right), in October 1972. Japan–New Zealand relations have had generally cordial relations since the post-World War II period, with Japan being a major trading partner with New Zealand. These relations have held together despite policy disputes over whaling and the International Whaling Commission. In March 2011, New Zealand sent an urban search and rescue team, which had spent time the previous three weeks searching buildings after the last month's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, and 15 tonnes of rescue equipment to assist Japan following the Tōhoku earthquake and the subsequent of tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster.^[200] New Zealand Parliament sends condolences to the people of Japan, and the government donated $2 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to support relief efforts.^[201]^[202] New Zealand has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Wellington and two consulates-general in Auckland and Christchurch.
Palau	2 November 1994^[113]	See Japan–Palau relations
Tonga	1970^[113]	See Japan–Tonga relations Japan and the Kingdom of Tonga have maintained official diplomatic relations since July 1970.^[203] Japan is Tonga's leading donor in the field of technical aid.^[203] The Japanese government describes its relations with Tonga as "excellent", and states that "the Imperial family of Japan and the Royal family of Tonga have developed a cordial and personal relationship over the years".^[203]

Disputed territories

Main article: Territorial disputes of Japan

Japan has several territorial disputes with its neighbors concerning the control of certain outlying islands.

Japan contests Russia's control of the Southern Kuril Islands (including Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotan, and the Habomai group) which were occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945.^[204] South Korea's assertions concerning Liancourt Rocks (Japanese: "Takeshima", Korean: "Dokdo") are acknowledged, but not accepted by Japan.^[205] Japan has strained relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) over the Senkaku Islands;^[206] and with the People's Republic of China over the status of Okinotorishima.

See also

•  Japan portal

• Foreign policy of Japan
• List of diplomatic missions in Japan
• List of diplomatic missions of Japan
• List of war apology statements issued by Japan
• Hotta Masayoshi
• Visa requirements for Japanese citizens

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February 16, 2024