Japan-Bhutan Relations
Japan-Bhutan Relations (Basic Data)
April 1, 2025
Basic Data
Diplomatic Relations:
- Established on March 28, 1986 by exchanging letters regarding establishment of diplomatic relations
Number of Residents:
- Number of Japanese nationals residing in Bhutan: 90 (2024)
- Number of Bhutanese nationals residing in Japan: 409 (2024)
Trade with Japan (2024):
- Export: 110 million yen (vegetables, textile)
- Import: 765 million yen (small excavators, automobile, products related to automobile)
Japan's Economic Cooperation:
- List of Exchange of Notes
- Loans: 5.763 billion yen (Total)
- Grants: 47.822 billion yen (Total)
- Technical cooperation: 26.49 billion yen (Total)
VIP Visits
| Year | Month | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Mar. | H.I.H. Prince Naruhito |
| 1992 | Aug. | Delegation of Socialist Party (headed by Makoto Taneda) |
| 1993 | Dec. | President of JICA Kensuke Yanagiya |
| 1994 | Sep. | Japan-Bhutan Parliamentary Friendship League (headed by Former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mutsuki Kato) |
| 1997 | Mar. | T.I.H. Prince and Princess Akishino |
| 1997 | Oct. | Ambassador Nobuo Matsunaga,the Envoy of the Japanese Government |
| 1998 | Apr. | Former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu |
| 2001 | Jan. | President of JICA Kimio Fujita |
| 2005 | Jun. | Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Katsuyuki Kawai |
| 2006 | Aug. | Vice-Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kiyoshi Nakano |
| 2006 | Oct. | Japan-Bhutan Friendship Parliamentarians League (headed by Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and chairman of the League, Nobutaka Machimura, 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations) |
| 2010 | Apr. | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Chinami Nishimura |
| 2011 | May | Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Makiko Kikuta |
| 2013 | Aug. | Special Advisor to Prime Minister Taro Kimura |
| 2013 | Aug. | Sanding Committee on Foreign Affairs of House of Representatives (headed by Katsuyuki Kawai) |
| 2013 | Sep. | Special Committee on Official Development Assistance of House of Councilors (headed by Eriko Yamatani) |
| 2016 | Sep. | Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Katsuyuki Kawai |
| 2017 | Jun. | H.I.H. Princess Mako |
| 2017 | Sep. | Special Advisor to the President of LDP for Foreign Affairs |
| 2018 | Jun. | Foreign Minister Taro Kono |
| 2019 | Aug. | T.I.H. Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and Prince Hisahito Special Committee on Foreign Affairs of House of Representatives (headed by Hiroshi Moriyama) |
| 2020 | Jan. | Special Committee on Official Development Assistance of House of Councilors (headed by Haruko Arimura) |
| 2022 | Nov. | State Minister for Foreign Affairs Takei Shunsuke |
| 2023 | Jul. | Minister of the Environment Nishimura |
| 2024 | Mar. | Princess Akiko of Mikasa |
| Year | Month | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Mar. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering (Establishment of Diplomatic Relations) |
| 1987 | Apr. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1988 | May | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1989 | Feb. | H.M. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (Imperial Funeral of Emperor Showa) |
| 1990 | May | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering (International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan, 1990) |
| 1990 | Nov. | H.M. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (Enthronement Ceremony) |
| 1991 | Apr. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1993 | Aug. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1993 | Oct. | Planning Minister Lyonpo C. Dorji |
| 1994 | Jul. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1996 | Oct. | Minister of Foreign Affairs Lyonpo Dawa Tsering |
| 1997 | Sep. | H.M. Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Chodron |
| 1999 | Jun. | Chairman of Council of Ministers, Head of Government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley |
| 2000 | Aug. | Minister of Agriculture Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji |
| 2001 | Dec. | Health and Education Minister Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup |
| 2004 | Jun. | Finance Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba |
| 2004 | Oct. | H.M. Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck |
| 2005 | Jun. | Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Affiars Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley (2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan) |
| 2006 | Jan. | Finance Minister Lyonpo Wangi Norbu |
| 2006 | Apr. | Speaker of National Assembly Dasho Ugten Dorji |
| 2006 | Oct. | Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley |
| 2007 | Mar. | Chief Justice of Bhutan Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye |
| 2007 | Mar. | Attorney General of Bhutan Dasho Damcho Dorji |
| 2007 | Apr. | Minister for Agriculture Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup |
| 2007 | Dec. | Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji |
| 2008 | Aug. | Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi |
| 2009 | Jun. | Additional Chief of Royal Bhutan Police Lt. Col. Tshewang Dendup |
| 2009 | Aug. | Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley |
| 2010 | Apr. | Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley |
| 2010 | Nov. | Minister of Agriculture and Forests Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho |
| 2011 | Feb. | H.R.H. Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck |
| 2011 | Jul. | H.R.H. Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck |
| 2011 | Sep. | Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley |
| 2011 | Sep. | Parliamentary delegation led by Chairperson of National Council, Lyonpo Namgye Penjore (Invitation of the President of the House of Councillors) |
| 2011 | Nov. | T.M. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck (State Guests) |
| 2012 | May. | H.R.H. Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck |
| 2014 | Feb. | Parliamentary delegation led by Chairperson of National Council, Dr. Sonam Kinga (Invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| 2014 | Mar. | H.M. the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Damcho Dorji |
| 2014 | Jun. | Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay (Working visit at the Invitation of Government of Japan) |
| 2015 | Mar. | Minister for Economic Affairs Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk (Invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| 2015 | Mar. | Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs Lyonpo Damcho Dorji (Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction) |
| 2016 | Jan. | Minister for Economic Affairs Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk |
| 2016 | May. | H.R.H. Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck |
| 2016 | May. | H.M. the Queen Monther Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck accompanied by H.R.H. Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck |
| 2016 | Jun. | H.M. the Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuk accompanied by H.R.H. Euphelma Choden Wangchuck |
| 2016 | Dec. | Minister for Works and Human Settlement Dorji Choden, |
| 2017 | Jan. | Secretary for Economic Affairs Yeshi Wangdi |
| 2017 | Apr. | H.R.H. Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck |
| 2017 | Oct. | H.R.H. Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck |
| 2018 | Apr. | Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay |
| 2018 | Nov. | H.R.H. Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wnagchuck |
| 2019 | Mar. | Minister for Works and Human Settlement Dorji Tshering, |
| 2019 | Apr. | Minister for Labour and Human Resources Ugyen Dorji |
| 2019 | Oct. | T.M. King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck |
| 2022 | Sep. | Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck |
| 2022 | Nov. | Minister for Health Dechen Wangmo |
| 2023 | Mar. | Minister for Education Jai Bir Rai |
Cultural Grant (cumulative total fiscal 1975-2010)
220.0 million yen (Cultural Grant Aid)
Cultural Relations
Japan-Bhutan Friendship Association established in 1981 and Kobe Bhutan Friendship Association established in 1981 are promoting cultural exchanges and friendly relations.