Europe

1. Hungary has traditionally been friendly to Japan. For a period after the end of the Second World War, diplomatic relations between Hungary and Japan were severed due to the impact of the Cold War, but diplomatic relations were resumed with the exchange of official documents in August 1959 recognizing the restoration of relations between the two countries. In 1960, both countries established diplomatic representations in the other's country, and in June 1964, these legations were raised to the embassy level. At the time of the change of regime in Hungary, Japan positively extended assistance to Hungary. Since then, bilateral relations between the two countries have been progressing significantly. 2019 was a milestone year that marked 150 years since Japan concluded the “Treaty of Amity and Commerce” with Austria-Hungary (1869). In this monumental year marking 150 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary, Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino made her first official overseas visit to Hungary and Austria from September 15 to 25.
2. In 2025, H.E. Dr. Tamás Sulyok, President of Hungary, visited Japan to participate in the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in May. During his visit, he was received by the Emperor and held a meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba. In September, H.E. Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, visited Japan for the third consecutive year, held a meeting with Foreign Minister Iwaya, and attended the opening ceremony of the Hungarian Consulate in Osaka. Additionally, during the Expo period, there were many high-level government visits to Japan, including various ministers such as H.E. Mr. Márton Nagy, Minister of National Economy (April), H.E. Dr. Tibor Navracsics, Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development (May), H.E. Dr. István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture (June), and H.E. Mr. Lantos Csaba, Minister of Energy (September).
3. Japan also attaches great importance to establishing its cooperative relationship with the Visegrád Four, a regional cooperative framework comprising the four countries of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, which are increasing their presence in Europe against the backdrop of steady economic growth. Japan-V4 cooperation was further strengthened by implementing the “V4+Japan” Seminar Regarding the Global Economy and Free Trade in April 2019 and holding the Third “Visegrad Group plus Japan” Summit Meeting during Prime Minister Abe’ s visit to Slovakia, continuing on from the previous year.

1. Since 1991, Japanese exports to Hungary have exceeded imports from that country. In 2024, with exports from Japan decreasing by 14.6% over the previous year to 203.5 billion yen, and imports decreasing by 4.8% to 189.4 billion yen, Japan's trade surplus with Hungary reached 14.1 billion yen.
   The main Japanese exports have been electrical and electric equipment, vehicles and engines; the main imports, electric equipment, general equipment and vehicles.
2. The total amount of Japanese direct investment in Hungary in 2024 was approximately 1.8 billion Euros (as reported to the National Bank of Hungary). The main areas of Japanese investment are in manufactures, particularly automotive industry. In recent years, about 180 Japanese firms have actively expanded their business in Hungary and contributed to create an employment for almost 30,000 people.

In order to help smooth the way for Hungary's move toward democratization and a market economy, Japan had provided technical cooperation and dispatched experts in corporate management, environment until 2008 March.

(1) Loan aid

4.91 billion yen

(2) Grand aid

6.32 million yen

(3) Technical Cooperation

7.69 billion yen

Since June 1997, exemptions for ordinary visas have been granted.