Japan-Iraq Relations (Basic Data)

November 2012

Basic Data

Diplomatic Relations:: 1939: Japanese Legation opened in Baghdad; 1955: Iraqi Legation opened in Tokyo; 1960: Both Legations were upgraded to Embassies; 1991: Embassy of Japan in Baghdad ceases its functions temporarily after all Japanese diplomats evacuated from Iraq; 2004: Japan recognized the Interim government of Iraq; 2004: Japan appointed Ambassador Suzuki, Ambassador to Iraq; 2004: Iraq appointed Ambassador Jumaily, Ambassador to Japan; 2006: Japan appointed Ambassador Yamaguchi, Ambassador to Iraq; 2007: Japan appointed Ambassador Monji, Ambassador to Iraq; 2008: Japan appointed Ambassador Ogawa, Ambassador to Iraq; 2010: Japan appointed Ambassador Hasegawa, Ambassador to Iraq; 2010: Iraq appointed Ambassador Faily, Ambassador to Japan; 2012: Japan appointed Ambassador Takaoka, Ambassador to Iraq
Trade with Japan:: Exports:296.9 billion yen (2011 Ministry of Finance of Japan); Imports: 27.2 billion yen (2011 Ministry of Finance of Japan)
Direct Investment from Japan:: 0
Japan's Economic Cooperation:: （1） At the International Donors' Conference on the Reconstruction of Iraq held in Madrid in 2003, Japan announced its financial assistance package totaling $5 billion. The package comprises $1.5 billion of grant aid and up to $3.5 billion in ODA loans Japan achieved the international pledge made in 2003 by signing the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for 4 ODA loan projects in May 2012.; （2） As for Grant Aid, about $1.67 billion has been obligated and already disbursed in the fields of health, water and sanitation, security among others for immediate assistance for recovery of living standard of Iraqi people.; （3） Regarding Japanese ODA loans, in order to meet medium-term reconstruction demands the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for 19 ODA loan projects (up to $3.28 billion) have been signed?until November 2011, in the fields of port, bridges, roads, oil facility, gas power plant among others.; （4） Moreover, the Government of Japan and the Government of Iraq signed the agreement upon the debt reduction totaling approximtely $6.7 billion. In December 2008, Japan has completed it.; Japan's Assistance to Iraq (As of November 2011); Japan's Assistance Measures; List of Exchange of Notes

Recent Trends in Bilateral Relations

1.In Novermber 2011, upon the invitation of H.E. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Nouri Kamil al- Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, paid an official visit to Japan leading a high level delegation. The two Prime Ministers met and discussed a wide range of issues. They reaffirmed the importance of further enhancing and expanding cooperation based on shared values and interests between the two countries and peoples under the Japan-Iraq Comprehensive Partnership issued in January 2009. They confirmed that the Partnership has entered a new stage. In the economic field in particular, they acknowledged that the bilateral relationship had entered a new phase of advancing concrete cooperation agenda and promoting dialogue. "Working Visit to Japan of H.E. Mr. Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq "
2. In June 2009, H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Hoshyar Mahmoud Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, held a Japan-Iraq Foreign Ministerial Meeting on the occasion of Foreign Minister Zebari's visit to Japan. The two Ministers had an extensive discussion on the bilateral issues and resolved to work together for the furtherance of the Japan-Iraq strategic partnership and for the peace and stability of the international community. "Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of Japan and the Republic of Iraq"
3. In January 2009, "Declaration on Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq" was signed to strengthen a long term bilateral relationship including the economic and business ties between the two countries. "Declaration on Establishing a Comprehensive Partnership between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Iraq(PDF)

VIP Visits

From Japan to Iraq

Year	Name
1987	Mr. Yoshiaki Kibe, Chairman of the Japan-Iraq Parliamentary Friendship Association
1988	Mr. Takakazu Kuriyama, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
1989	Mr. Yoshiaki Kibe, Chairman of the Japan-Iraq Parliamentary Friendship Association
	Mr. Eizaburo Saito, Member of the House of Councilors
	Mr. Mitsuo Horiuchi, Special Envoy
2000	The Member of LDP
2001	Survey Mission of Committee on Budget, House of Representatives
2003	Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi(Prime Minister's Special Envoy), State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
2004	Mr. Yoshinori Ohno, Minister of State for Defense
2005	Mr. Fukushiro Nukaga, Minister of State for Defense
2006	Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs(Baghdad)
2008	Mr. Akira Amari, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
2008	Ms. Seiko Hashimoto, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
2009	Mr. Shinzo Abe, Former Prime Minister(Prime Minister's Special Envoy)
	Mr. Koichi Takemasa, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs
	Mr. Tadahiro Matsushita, Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
2011	Mr. Akihiro Ohata, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

From Iraq to Japan

Year	Name
1985	Mr. Tariq Aziz, Foreign Minister
1986	Mr. Sadiq Hamid Al-Wash, Health Minister
1989	Mr. Taha Moheydeen Ma'rouf, Vice President
1989	Mr. Mohammad Mahdi Saleh, Trade Minister
1990	Mr. Isam Abdelraheem Chalabi, Oil Minister
1994	Mr. Wisam Shauqat Al-Zahawi, Special Envoy Wisam
1997	Mr. Abdul Amir Al-Anbari, Special Envoy
2003	Mr. Ali Abdulameer Allawi, Minister of Trade
2004	Mr. Al-Abadi, Minister of Communication
	Dr. Mohammed Al Uloom, Chairman of the Governing Council
	Dr. Ali Allawi, Minister of Trade
	Dr. Khidr Abbas, Minister of Health
	Dr. Latif Rashid, Minister of Water Resources
	Dr. Ala'din Alwan, Minister of Education
	Dr. Abdul Amir Al Abood, Minister of Agriculture
	Mr. Muhammad Tawfiq, Minister of Industry and Minerals
	Dr. Mehdi Al-Hafidh, Minister of Planning and Development Co-operation
	Mr. Sami Azara Al Ma'jun, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs
	Mr. Abdul Kareem, Minister of Environment
	Mr. Ali-Hassan, Governor of Al-Muthanna
	Dr. Braham Salih, Deputy Prime Minister
	Dr. Mehdi Hafedh, Minister of Planning & Development Cooperation
	Dr. Aiham Ai-Sammarae, Minister of Electricity
	Ms. Nasreen Barwari, Minister of Municipality & Public Works
	Dr. Muhammed Ali Al-Hakim, Minister of Communication
	Dr. Ala'din Alwan, Minister of Health
2005	Mr. Mohammed Zaien, Senior Vice Minister of Industries and Minerals
	Mr. Hajim Al-Hasani, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Transitional Government
	Ms. Nasreen Barwari, Minister of Public Works
	Mr. Ammar Al-Saffar, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health
	Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs
	Mr. Ibrahim al-Ja'afari, Prime Minister
	Dr. Ibrahim Bahr Al-Uloum,Minister of Oil
2006	Dr. Hussain Al-Shahristani, Minister of Oil
2007	Mr. Tariq Al-Hashimi, Vice President
2007	Mr. Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Mnister
2008	Mr. Naseer Al-Ani, Head of Presidential Council
2009	Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs
	Dr．Hussain Al-Shahristani, Minister of Oil (April and July)
	Mr. Fawzi Hariri, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources
2010	Dr. Sinan Al-Shabibi, Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq
2010	Mr. Talib Kadhum al-Hasan, Governor of Thi Qar
2011	Mr. Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Mnister
2012	Dr. Khalaf A. Samad, Governor of Basra
	Mr. Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Foreign Affairs
	Dr. Rafea al-Essawi, Minister of Finance

Cultural Exchange

1978	Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Republic of Iraq on Cultural Exchange

Cultural Grant (cumulative total fiscal 1975-2004)

75.1 million yen (Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects)

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