Japan-Sweden Relations

The first treaty between Japan and Sweden was signed in 1868 in Yokohama through the Dutch Legation.

Japan and Sweden have been cementing friendly relations, through mutual visits and exchanges on various levels in different fields, and in so doing they have strengthened the mutual understanding and cooperations. The year 2018 marked the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sweden.

Since 1993, Sweden has had trade surplus over Japan except the year 2008. The main export items from Japan to Sweden are transportation equipment, electric equipment and machinery, while the main import items from Sweden are medicines, machinery, timber and cork. In 2022, Social Security Agreement entered into force.

In recent years, Japanese companies have invested in Sweden through business alliances or corporate acquisitions that focus on Sweden's high technological capabilities, mainly in fields of steel and power grids. Investment from Swedish companies that operate internationally is often aimed at creating a sales network with exporting products to Japan.

In Sweden, people have long since been interested in traditional Japanese culture, such as performing arts, music, calligraphy, tea ceremony, ikebana (flower arrangement) and Haiku (poetry). For the last two decades, more Swedes have been attracted to Japanese pop culture such as anime and manga. More Swedish people are visiting Japan or learning the Japanese language accordingly.

In May 2000, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Sweden. In 2007, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Uppsala, Sweden to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Linné’s birth.

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf has visited Japan a number of times including official visits in 2007 and 2012 which were made with Her Majesty Queen Silvia. In February 2016, His Majesty visited Japan leading the 23rd Royal Technology Mission (RTM), a delegation focusing on technology, science and industry.

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria visited Japan in 2005, in connection with the inauguration of the Nordic Pavilion at the world exhibition in Aichi. In June 2010, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito visited Sweden to attend the wedding of the Swedish Crown Princess couple.

Prime Minister Göran Persson visited Japan in March 2004, and in May 2006 Prime Minister KOIZUMI Junichiro visited Sweden. It was the first time a Japanese prime minister visited Sweden. In 2008 Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt visited Japan.

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt visited Japan in February 2014, and after the change of government in October, Foreign Minister Margot Wallström visited Japan in December 2014.

His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Majesty Queen Silvia, paid an Official Visit to Japan in 2018 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Sweden. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria visited Japan to attend Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor at the Seiden (State Hall) in October 2019.

In May 2023, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Stockholm to attend the EU-Sweden Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and had a bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart H.E. Mr. Tobias BILLSTRÖM.Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs

In July 2023, Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, held a birateral meeting with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in Lithuania during the NATO Summit.

In January 2024, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting the Kingdom of Sweden, held working lunch with H.E. Mr. Tobias BILLSTRÖM, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, for the first time between the two Ministers.