Japan-Belgium Relations 
March 2010
Basic Data
- Diplomatic Relations:
- Established in 1866 with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce.
- Japanese Nationals:
- Number of Japanese nationals residing in Belgium: 4,936 (Oct. 2000)
- Number of Belgian nationals residing in Japan: 486 (Dec. 1999)
- Trade with Japan
- Exports: 198 billion yen (automobiles, automobile parts, electric equipment)
- Imports: 569 billion yen (diamonds, automobiles, medical supplies, cobalt)
- Direct Investment from Japan
- 14.1 billion yen (1999)
VIP Visits
- From Japan to Belgium
-
Year Name 1990 His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince
Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu with his wife
Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama1991 Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu
International Trade and Insustry Minister Eiichi Nakao
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Motoji Kondo1993 Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress (twice) 1994 Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata 1996 Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda 1997 Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda 1999 Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Crown Princess2000 Foreign Minister Yohei Kono
International Trade and Industry Minister Takashi Fukaya
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tokuichiro Tamazawa2001 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi 2002 Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi 2003 Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi - From Belgium to Japan
-
Year Name 1990 Their Majesties King Baudouin and the Queen
Deputy Prime Minister Dehaene1991 Deputy Prime Minister Claes 1992 Their Majesties King Baudouin and the Queen
Foreign Minister Claes1993 His Royal Highness Prince Albert
Prime Minister Dehaene1994 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philip 1996 Their Majesties King Albert and Queen
Foreign Minister Derycke1997 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philip 1998 Deputy Prime Minister Di Rupo 1999 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Philip 2000 Their Royal Highness Crown Prince Philip and Princess Mathilde 2001 Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
Cultural Exchanges
- Main cultural events between Belgium and Japan are;
In addition to the above, there are many Japanese cultural events held in Belgium, organised by the Japan Foundation, the Japanese Embassy, and so forth. There are many Japanese participants in the Elisabeth International Music Festival, being held annually in Brussels (In 1997, 29 out of 152 participants were from Japan).1989 "Europalia" Japan (introducing Japanese art and culture) 1993 Antwerp was nominated as the Cultural Capital of Europe, and events were held to introduce Japanese culture.
Recent Trends
- Belgium and Japan are enjoying close friendship between the two royal families.
Belgium economic missions often visit Japan, headed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince of Belgium (recent visit is in may 1999). From Japan, the mission of the Federation of Economic Organisations, headed by Shoichiro Toyoda, visited Belgium in 1995. Since 1983, business conferences have been held almost annually, organised by the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Belgium Ministry of Economic Affairs.
- Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Yves Leterme, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium, and H.E. Mr. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium (April 2010)
- Signing of the Protocol amending the Convention between Japan and the Kingdom of Belgium for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income (January 2010)
- Visit to Belgium by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seiko Hashimoto (April 2009)
- Georgia Donors' Conference (October 2008)
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Visit to European Countries (January 2007)
- Exchange of Diplomatic Notes for Entry into Force of the Japan-Belgium Social Security Agreement (October 2006)
- Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Visit the United States, Belgium and Lithuania (April 2006)
- Brussels Speech by Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs (January 2006)
- Mr. Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Visit Europe (December 2005)
- Visit to Japan by Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium (November 2005)
- Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Visit the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.), Belgium and the United Kingdom (U.K.) (June 2005)
- Signing of the Japan-Belgium Social Security Agreement (February 2005)
- Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Belgium on Social Security (February 2005) [English (PDF)]
[Japanese (PDF)] - Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, to Visit European Countries and Attend the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference (September 2003)
- Prime Minister Meets with Prime Minister of Belgium (February 2003) (Prime Minister of Japan and his Cabinet Official Web Site)
- Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi's Visit to Europe and Middle East (April 2002)
- Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's Attendance to the 10th Japan-EU Summit Meeting (December 2001)
- Visit to Japan of His Excellency Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium (February 2001)
- Foreign Minister Yohei Kono to Visit Europe (January 2000)
(Open a New Window)Press Secretary's Press Conference on Belgium
| Year | Month | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | January | 13, 31 |
| 2005 | October | 7 |
| 2001 | January | 26 |
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