Japan-Czech Republic Relations

1. Japan and then-Czechoslovakia established diplomatic relations when the latter gained its independence with the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I. Overcoming a lengthy period of diplomatic relations suspension since 1939, Japan resumed its ties with Czechoslovakia in 1957.
   When the Czech Republic declared independence in 1993, Japan was among the first countries to welcome the new state by giving it diplomatic recognition.
2. Traditionally Japan and the Czech Republic (including the Czechoslovakia era) had enjoyed good relations with no significant pending issues between them, though the differences in political and economic systems kept their relations to a limited extent until the wave of democratization swept over Central and Eastern Europe in 1989. Recently, relations have become much closer in a variety of fields, including political, economic, and cultural areas.

• Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Czech: 2,564 (Oct. 2021)
• Number of Czech Nationals residing in Japan: 345 (Jun. 2021)

Economic relations between Japan and the Czech Republic are developing steadily with the rapid growth of large-scale direct investment from Japan in the Czech Republic.

1. Trade between Japan and the Czech Republic (2021)

From Japan to the Czech Republic: 239.2 billion JPY (mainly electrical machinery)

From the Czech Republic to Japan: 181.0 billion JPY (mainly mechanical component)

2. Investment

The Direct Investment from Japan to the Czech Republic (cumulative amount as of Feb. 2021): 3.782 billion USD (mainly to production of automobiles and TV apparatuses)

Japanese-affiliated companies in the Czech Republic (number as of Feb. 2021): 276

In order to help the Czech Republic smooth the way toward democratization and a market economy, Japan provided technical cooperation and dispatching experts in corporate management, environment and so on. Japan’s assistance to the Czech Republic completed in 2003.

• Total Amount of ODA up to 2003
• Loans: None
• Grants: 382 million yen
• Technical Assistance: 712 million yen

Cultural exchanges between the two countries, particularly from 1989, have become more active at both the government and private-sector levels. Besides inviting students, media people, teachers, diplomats, and others to Japan, Japan has also been organizing cultural events, such as concerts, exhibitions, and demonstrations, to promote cultural understanding between the Czech and Japanese peoples. In addition, various private groups have been organizing cultural events. Both countries have their own respective friendship societies that are active in promoting goodwill and friendship between the Japanese and Czech peoples. Recently, Japanese pop culture is becoming more popular besides the traditional culture such as the way of tea and Ikebana.

Exchanges have been deepening also at a regional level. Takasaki and Pilsen (1990), Kusatsu and Karlovy Vary (1992), and Kyoto and Prague (1996) have formed sister city relationships. The 20th anniversaries of relationships were celebrated, between Kyoto and Prague in 2016, and the 25th anniversary was celebrated between Kusatsu and Karlovy Vary in 2017. The 30th anniversary was celebrated between Takasaki and Pilsen in 2020, and the commemorative exhibition was held in Pilsen.

In 2017, both countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As one of the main events of this anniversary, the exhibition of Alfons Mucha was held in Tokyo where all 20 works of the Slav Epic series, a Mucha’s masterpiece, were displayed for the first time outside of the Czech Republic.

In 2020, Japan and the Czech Republic celebrated the 100th anniversary of relations and held various commemorative events. In September, Kyogen (a traditional Japanese theater) performance was held at the Senate of the Parliament of Czech Republic and attended by VIPs in the Czech government such as the President of the Senate Milos Vystrcil and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomas Petricek. The performance was also livestreamed online and attracted a large number of viewers.