Japan-Sweden Relations
Official Visit to Japan by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden Events Involving Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe at the Akasaka State Guest House
Photograph of the commemorative photograph session (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)
1. On April 25, commencing at 7:00 p.m. for approximately 80 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and his wife Mrs. Abe held a banquet at the Akasaka State Guest House to welcome His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf of the Kingdom of Sweden and Her Majesty the Queen Silvia of the Kingdom of Sweden, who are paying an Official Visit to Japan.
2. His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Majesty the Queen Silvia with Japanese and Swedish leaders from business, academic, cultural and other fields attended the banquet, including Mr. Ibrahim Baylan, Minister for Policy Coordination and Energy of Sweden, Ms. Ann Linde, Minister for EU Affairs and Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Mr. Manabu Horii, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Seishiro Eto, member of the House of Representatives and Chairperson of the Japan-Sweden Parliamentary Friendship League.
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
at the banquet hosted by Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address
at the banquet hosted by Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
3. Prior to the banquet, Prime Minister Abe and Mrs. Abe held a meeting with Their Majesties the King and Queen for approximately 30 minutes. In the meeting, Prime Minister Abe stated that the exchanges between the Imperial Family of Japan and the royal family of Sweden for many years were the cornerstone of friendly relations between Japan and Sweden. He further stated that he would like to use this opportunity of the visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen this year, the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sweden, to further develop the bilateral relations in all areas.
4. In response, His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed gratitude for the warm welcome of the Japanese side, and stated that many business people were accompanying him on this visit, expressing the expectation that exchanges between Japan and Sweden would be further deepened in a variety of areas, in particular the economy.
Photograph of the commemorative
photograph session
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe meeting
with the King and Queen of Sweden
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photograph of the Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe meeting
with the King and Queen of Sweden
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
5. In addition, Prime Minister Abe and His Majesty the King Carl XVI Gustaf welcomed the substantial agreement on the working holiday agreement and social security agreement between the two countries, expressed their expectations for the further development of people-to-people exchanges and economic exchanges, and shared the view that they would further strengthen Japan-Sweden relations. Furthermore, in relation to the visit of His Majesty, several specific topics such as efforts to respond to the aging society, climate change, and the importance of free trade were mentioned, including by the accompanying ministers from Sweden.