Japan-Thailand Relations

December 2009

Mekong-Japan Exchange Year

Basic Data

Diplomatic relations:

Established in September 1887

Number of Residents:

Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Thailand: 44,114 (as of Oct. 2008)

Number of Thai Nationals residing in Japan: 42,609 (as of Dec. 2008)

Japan-Thailand Trade (Yen: billion)

Year	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
from Thailand to Japan	16,485	18,537	21,922	24,776	26,651	30,093	30,514
from Japan to Thailand	13,145	13,759	15,253	19,625	19,625	21,536	21,522

(Source: Ministry of Finance, Japan)

Japan-Thailand EPA (JTEPA)

Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA, November 2007)

VIP Visits

Japan to Thailand

Year	Name
1997	Mr. Juro Saito, President of the House of Councilors
1998	Mr. Keizo Obuchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2000	Mr. Keizo Obuchi, Prime Minister
2000	Mr. Yohei Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2002	Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister Ms. Yoriko Kawagushi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2003	Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister Ms. Yoriko Kawagushi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2005	Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2006	Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan
2009	Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs
2009	Mr. Taro Aso, Prime Minister
2009	Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister

Thailand to Japan

Year	Name
1997	Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulaborn, accompanied by H.E. Mr. Prachuab, Minister of Foreign Affairs
1997	H.E. Gen. Chavalit, Prime Minister
1998	H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
1999	H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister
2000	H.E. Mr. Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister
2000	H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2001	H.E. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister
2003	H.E. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister
2005	H.E. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2006	H.E. Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2007	Gen. Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister
2008	H.E. Mr. Noppadol Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2009	H.E. Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister

The History of Bilateral Relations Between Thailand and Japan

Japan and Thailand have been maintaining a long cordial relationship. Historical records attest to the existence of relations between Ryukyu (Okinawa) and Ayudhaya as far back as the 15th century. Trade between the two countries became active during the 17th century, at which time the Japanese community in Ayudhaya flourished. But after Japan adopted the policy of Sakoku, a policy of closing the country to the outside world, in 1639, the community began to decline. Centuries later, a new chapter of the relations in modern history began with the Declaration of Amity and Commerce between Japan and Siam in 1887. At that time, Japanese experts on law, education, sericulture and so forth were dispatched to Thailand to contribute to the modernization of the country. At the time of World War II, Thailand, allied with Japan, declared war against the United States of America and the United Kingdom, but made the said declaration null after the War.
Symbolized by the close relationship between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand, the two countries now engage in many forms of personnel exchange, carried out in various fields, such as politics and economics, among others. In 2007, Japan and Thailand celebrated the 120th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with many memorial cultural events. In 2009, Prime Minister Abhisit visited Japan and had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Aso, and shared the view to strengthen the Japan-Thailand relation and cooperation to enhance economic development of Mekhon Sub-region.

The Relationship Between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand

The Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand have traditionally been on friendly terms with each other. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan's visit to Thailand as their first overseas trip in 1991 after their enthronement and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's visit to Japan in May 1997 well epitomize the intimacy existing in the ties between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Thailand. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Thailand in 2006 again to attend the ceremony in Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King's Accession the Throne.

Political and Security relationship

After their mutual cooperation with each other in their efforts to solve the problem of Cambodia, Thailand and Japan have been building a relationship that exceeds the bounds of their bilateral relationship through close dialogues and cooperation in their combined efforts to solve the problems of the Southeast Asian region and the Asia-Pacific region. From May 1998 the two countries held their first Politico-Military Talks between Japan and Thailand once every year, while their cooperation in security issues is also being duly strengthened.

Economics and Economic Cooperation

Due to the appreciation of the yen, Japanese companies vigorously moved into Thailand in the 1980s. Presently more than 1,290 Japanese companies are registered at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok. 32.5 percent of all direct investment in Thailand is coming from Japan (based on the 2007 figure approved by the Board of Investment), a total amount which is larger than that of any other country's.
In the field of trade, Japan has been Thailand's largest trading partner for a long time. (Japan is the second largest exporter and the largest importer for Thailand.)
As of 2007, 12% of Thailand's total exports was for Japan and 20% of the country's imports was from Japan. Japanese exports to Thailand consist mainly of machine/machinery, metal/metal products and chemicals; on the other hand, Thai exports to Japan formerly consisted of food (e.g. frozen shrimps, boneless chicken, sugar) and raw materials (e.g. natural rubber), but machine/machinery have recently taken an increasing share.
In 2007, Japan and Thailand signed on Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) and it came into effect. JTEPA is expected to enhance trade, investment and cooperation between two countries. The total trade volume between Thailand and Japan as well as Japan's direct investment in Thailand had increased after JTEPA came into force. In 2008, the following Sub-committees were convened to discuss issues concerned; Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures, Paperless Trading, Enhancement of Business Environment, Trade in Service, Movement of Natural Persons and Small and Medium Enterprises, also the Second Meeting of Joint Committee as well.

List of Exchange of Notes

Cultural Exchange

There have been many cultural activities between Thailand and Japan in fields such as arts, sports, and exchange of youth. In particular, the Japanese community in Thailand plays a central role at times of important events related to auspicious events involving the Royal Family of Thailand. For example, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's enthronement, which took place in 1996, Kyogen and Thai-Japan joint dance and concerts have been held since 1994. Also, in August 1996, a highly acclaimed Kabuki performance was held in Bangkok with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn in attendance. Thai Food Festival has been held every year since 2000 at Yoyogi Park which organized by Royal Thai Embassy in Japan. In 2007, despite rainy weather, about 300,000 people enjoyed Thai food and cultural activities at the Festival.

Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

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Press Secretary's Press Conference on Thailand

Year	Month	Date
2007	October	30
2007	February	9
2006	April	14
2006	January	13
2005	October	13
	September	2
	August	23, 30
	May	31
	January	11
2004	August	27
2004	March	5
2002	June	18

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