Japan-Hungary Relations
Japan-Hungary Summit Meeting
Photograph of the Prime Minister greeting the Prime Minister of Hungary
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor ceremony (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On December 6, commencing at around 6:20 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Orbán Viktor, Prime Minister of Hungary, who was paying an Official Working Visit to Japan. The meeting was attended by Mr. HAGIUDA Koichi, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Mr. KAJIYAMA Hiroshi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. OKADA Naoki, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, and others from the Japanese side and by H.E. Mr. Szijjártó Péter, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and others from the Hungarian side. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
Photograph of the Japan-Hungary Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Japan-Hungary Summit Meeting
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Following the summit meeting, a signing ceremony was held in the presence of the two leaders for the renewal of a memorandum of cooperation on scholarships of the Government of Hungary between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, a memorandum on business tie-ups in trade insurance between the Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) and the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Plc. (MEHIB), and a memorandum of cooperation on academic exchanges between Josai University Educational Corporation and the Department for Hungarian Studies and International Relations in Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary (reference).
Photograph of the leaders attending
the signing and exchange of documents ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the leaders attending
the signing and exchange of documents ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the leaders attending
the signing and exchange of documents ceremony
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Following the signing ceremony, a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took place in a relaxed atmosphere where discussions took place on a broad range of topics, including economic and cultural exchanges.
1. Opening remarks
(1) Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed Prime Minister Orbán’s fifth visit to Japan, after six years, stating that he is pleased to welcome Prime Minister Orbán in the commemorative year of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary and that Japan intends to further strengthen tangible cooperation with Hungary, a country which plays a role of a bridge between Asia and Europe and address global issues in a coordinated manner.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Orbán stated that Japan and Hungary have always been friends over the course of the 150 years, and that the people of Hungary will never forget Japan’s support after the regime change of Hungary. Prime Minister Orbán expressed his hope for Prime Minister Abe’s early visit to Hungary and stated that he will give a warm welcome when the visit is realized.
2. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe stated that importance of Japan-Europe relations is increasing under the current international circumstance, and that Japan hopes to expand its cooperation in a variety of areas with European Union (EU) countries and with Hungary in particular.
The two leaders also confirmed that they will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the following fields.
(1) Economy
Prime Minister Abe stated that large number of Japanese companies have invested in Hungary since shortly after its democratization, and that Japan has become the largest investor in Hungary among Asian countries in terms of cumulative investment. The two leaders shared the view to continue cooperation toward further expansion of their economic relations, including the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between NEXI and MEHIB. In this connection, Prime Minister Orbán expressed his appreciation for Japan’s investments and hopes for further investments.
(2) Politics and security affairs
The two leaders shared the view that they will hold policy dialogue in Budapest early next year and continue exchange of views at various levels closely, aiming to reach a shared view on recognition on regional and international situations and conduct policy coordination.
In addition, Prime Minister Abe announced that members of the Ministry of Defense will visit the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medicine in Budapest in the first half of 2020 to mark a new step in defense cooperation.
(3) Science and technology
With a view toward promoting cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, the two leaders shared the view that they will work together to hold Science and Technology consultations in Budapest in the first half of 2020. Prime Minister Abe also announced that Japan will advance the process to arrange a call for proposals on joint research grant under the “V4+Japan” framework next fiscal year and beyond.
(4) Culture and education
The two leaders welcomed the opening of the Hungarian Cultural Institute (cultural institute of the Embassy of Hungary in Japan) and the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation to promote exchange in various areas including student and academic exchanges. The two leaders also shared the view on continuing active exchanges in education, culture, and sports fields through ongoing collaboration.
3. “V4+Japan” cooperation
Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan weighs the importance of V4, which has been increasing its presence in the EU. Prime Minister Orbán expressed that he has consistently valuing Prime Minister Abe’s attention to Central Europe, especially the V4. The two leaders affirmed to continue strengthening the “V4+Japan” cooperation, including political dialogues and assistance to the Western Balkans.
4. Regional situation
The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions regarding the situations in the East Asia and the Europe, and confirmed their continued cooperation. Regarding the North Korean affairs, the leaders shared the views on continue working closely toward the complete denuclearization of the North Korea. Prime Minister Abe asked for Prime Minister Orbán’s understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abductions issue and obtained the Prime Minister’s support.
(Note) V4 (Visegrad Group)
A regional cooperation framework consisting of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The group was founded in Visegrad in Hungary in 1991.
Photograph of the joint press announcement
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the joint press announcement
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the joint press announcement
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
at the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister
delivering an address at the banquet
hosted by the Prime Minister
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
at the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)