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Japan-Bulgaria Relations (Basic Data)

January 2013

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:

Diplomatic relations between Japan and Bulgaria, which were severed due to the impact of the Second World War, were resumed with the exchange of the official documents in September 1959 recognizing the restoration of the relations between the two countries.

Japanese Nationals:

Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Republic of Bulgaria: 136 (October 2011)

Trade with Japan (in 2011):

Exports: 7,400 million yen  (wine and metal products)

Imports: 4,900 million yen (machinery, car and chemical products)

Direct Investment from Japan:

Cumulative total as of 2011: 67.5 million euro (Bulgarian National Bank)

Japan's Economic Cooperation:

List of Exchange of Notes

Loans: 77,006 million yen (total amount till 2009)

Grants: 3,315 million yen (total amount till 2009)

Technical Cooperation: 11,183 million yen (total amount till 2009)

VIP Visits

From Japan to Republic of Bulgaria

Year	Name
1979	T. I. H. Crown Prince and Princess
1983	Minister for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Abe
1987	T. I. H. Prince and Princess Mikasa
1988	Vice Prime Minister Shin Kanemaru
1992	Chairman of House of Representatives Yoshio Sakurauchi
1996	H. I. H. Princess Sayako
2000	Chairman of House of Representatives Tamisuke Watanuki
2007	Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso
2009	T. I. H. Princess and Prince Akishino
2012	Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ryuji Yamane

From Republic of Bulgaria to Japan

Year	Name
1970	Prime Minister Todor Zhivkov (1978, 1985)
1990	President Zhelyu Zhelev
1991	Minister of Foreign Affairs Viktor Valkov
1993	Chairman of National Assembly Alexandor Yordanov
1996	Chairman of National Assembly Blagovest Sendov
1997	President Petar Stoyanov (State Visit)
1999	Duputy Prime Minister Evgenii Bakardjiev
2000	Vice President Todor Kavaldjiev
2001	Chairman of National Assembly Ognyan Gerdjikov
2003	Minister of Foreign Affairs Solomon Passy
2004	Prime Minister Simeon Saxe Coburg
2005	Vice President Angel Marin
2006	Chairman of National Assembly Georgi Pirinski
2007	Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivailo Kalfin
2009	President Georgi Parvanov
2011	Prime Minister Boyko Borissov
2012	Chairman of National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva

Cultural Exchanges

Cultural exchanges between the two countries have become more active at both the government and private-sector levels.
   Japan organizes "Japanese Cultural Weeks" in Sofia every year from 1990 and Bulgaria has organized "Bulgarian Cultural Weeks" in Tokyo in 1994 and 1997.
   Besides inviting students, media people, teachers, diplomats, and others to Japan, Japan has also been organizing every year "Days of Japanese Culture" which include various events, such as concerts, exhibitions, and demonstrations of Japanese art, to promote cultural understanding between Bulgarian and Japanese peoples.

Cultural Grant

Cultural Grant Aid：1,116 million yen (total amount till 2010)
Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects： 43.95 million yen (total amount till 2011)