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 Estonia |  Japan |
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Estonia–Japan relations are thebilateral relations betweenEstonia andJapan. Both nations are members of theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Estonia has an embassy inTokyo. Japan has an embassy inTallinn.[1]
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Japan recognized theRepublic of Estonia on 6 March 1919de facto and on 26 January 1921 theEntente Supreme Council (including Japan) recognized the Republic of Estoniade iure.[2] On 8 March 1921, Japan also recognized the Republic of Estoniade jure by a separate act.[2] In 1921, atemporary chargé d'affaires was appointed toRiga, who also covered Estonia. In 1937, the Japanese ambassador residing in Riga,Shin Sakuma, was also accredited toTallinn.[2]
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After the restoration of the Republic of Estonia on 20 August 1991, the Ambassador with special powers sent from Japan delivered an official message from the Japanese government in Tallinn on 6 September 1991 regarding the recognition of the Republic of Estonia. Japande facto re-recognized Estonia on 6 September 1991, and a month later diplomatic relations were re-established between these countries on 10 October 1991.[3] In January 1993 the Embassy of Japan was established in Tallinn and in September 1996 the Embassy of Estonia was established in Tokyo.
The Estonian-Japanese Association has been operating in Tallinn since 1992.[2]
On May 24–25, 2007, the official visit of Japanese EmperorAkihito and EmpressMichiko to Estonia took place.[4]
In January 2010, AmbassadorHoshi Hideaki was appointed as the first permanent ambassador in Estonia.[1]
In October 2004, PresidentArnold Ruutel travelled to Japan.
In February 2010, Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip travelled to Japan.
In April 2016, Prime MinisterTaavi Roivas travelled to Japan.
In June 2019, Prime MinisterJüri Ratas travelled to Japan.
In October 2019,Estonian PresidentKersti Kaljulaid travelled to Tokyo to attend the enthronement of Japanese EmperorNaruhito.[5]
In May 2007, the Emperor and Empress of Japan,Akihito andMichiko, made an official visit to Estonia.[3]
In 12 January 2018, Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abe met with PresidentKersti Kaljulaid and Prime MinisterJüri Ratas.[6]
Since regaining independence from theSoviet Union, Japan has provided Estonia with economic assistance to promote market economy and democratization. By 2008, the total amount provided was 228 million yen in grant aid and 129 million yen in technical cooperation.[7]. However, Estonia's economy has continued to grow steadily, with its nominal GDP per capita hovering between the high $10,000 and $20,000 range. On December 9, 2010, it became the first of theBaltic states to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Due to these economic conditions, Estonia is often considered adeveloped country, and Japan ended its economic assistance to Estonia in 2009.
In terms of trade, Estonia's exports to Japan totaled 79.8 million euros, with major items including lumber and log houses, machinery, metals, and optical and precision instruments. Imports to Japan, meanwhile, totaled 46.5 million euros, with major items including machinery, automobiles and parts, and leather goods.
Estonia has launched an "e-residency" system, which opens up some of its convenient administrative services, such as online corporate registration and tax payments, to foreigners.[8]
The system is attracting foreign investment and business expansion. As a result, Japanese companies such asMarubeni have expanded into Estonia.[9]Fujitsu has also set up a service base in Estonia, and the country is attracting attention as a startup hub.[10]
Kaido Höövelson, also known as Baruto, is the first Estonian to become a professional sumo wrestler in Japan. Due to a persistent knee injury, he had to give up his sumo career on September 11 2013.[11]
JapaneseviolinistMari Adachi performed at thePärnumusic festival weather.[12]
The EstonianSaku and the JapaneseSaku have beentwin cities since 1 May 2007.[13]
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