Bulgaria and Japan: 115 years of cooperation, friendship and mutual understanding
05 March 2024 News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Ms Mariya Gabriel and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Ms Yōko Kamikawa exchanged congratulatory letters on the occasion of the national holidays of Japan and Bulgaria — 23 February and 3 March 2024 respectively.
In the letters, in addition to wishing to strengthen and expand the traditionally friendly relations and partnership between the two countries, Minister Gabriel and Minister Kamikawa also send their congratulations on the occasion of the triple anniversary of the Bulgarian — Japanese relations, which we are celebrating this year — 115 years since the beginning of official contacts, 85 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations and 65 years since their restoration.
On today's date 115 years ago the visit of Prince Kuni Kuniyoshi to Bulgaria began. The visit of the high representative of the Japanese imperial court and the diplomatic act of May 1909 of the Japanese side for the recognition of the independence of Bulgaria, achieved in 1908, marked the beginning of the official contacts between the two countries.
The relations between Bulgaria and Japan have been developing for more than a century, unaffected by the changes of historical epochs, in the spirit of true friendship and sincere desire of the two countries and peoples for mutual understanding and development of successful cooperation.
Today Bulgaria and Japan are like-minded partners, sharing democratic values, working to take their traditional partnership to a new level.
During the past year, visits were exchanged between the ministers of economy of the two countries, who identified promising areas for deepening economic relations. The cultural and educational exchange is more active with each passing year — cultural figures of both countries are welcome guests in Bulgaria and Japan, and more and more Bulgarian and Japanese young people study the language and culture of the other country. Bulgaria and Japan have found new opportunities for cooperation in ICT, innovation and artificial intelligence.
Bulgaria and Japan are active members of the international community, making joint efforts to tackle global challenges. The two countries have also successfully partnered in the Western Balkans region.
All this further strengthens the solid foundation on which the traditionally friendly relations between our countries and peoples have developed.