Japan-Israel Relations

General

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1952, Japan and Israel have steadily developed the bilateral relationship. The growing relations are represented in frequent VIP visits between the two countries such as Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and other Ministers.

Exchanges have deepened and broadened not only in the political area but also in such areas as bilateral trade, cultural and intellectual exchanges, and cooperation in science and technology.
Japan-Israel relations have gone beyond the purely bilateral meaning and have assumed major significance for progress in the peace process as well. During his visit to Israel in 2006, Prime Minister Koizumi proposed a concept of the "Corridor for Peace and Prosperity", which aims at creating a prosperous region through regional cooperation in the Jordan Rift Valley. Japan's such contributions to the Middle East peace process have won high praise from both Israel and Arab countries.

Diplomatic Relations:

Bilateral Treaties and Agreements

Number of Residents

• Number of Japanese Nationals residing in Israel: 1,040 (as of October 2024)
• Number of Israeli Nationals residing in Japan: 720 (as of December 2023)

Economic Relations (Exports and Imports, 2023)

• Israel exports to Japan: $1.5 billion (electrical equipment, scientific and optical instruments, chemical products)
• Israel imports from Japan: $1.31 billion (transportation machinery, general machinery, chemical products)

Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Exchange

There is a lively exchange between scientists of both nations through ongoing joint projects and academic exchanges among universities.

• (1) Exchange Programs and Academic Exchanges
  • 1987 Israeli youths and Japanese youths were exchanged as a General Affairs Agency project.
  • Since 1989, 5-8 Israeli youths are invited for training visit every year as a Middle East Youths Invitation Program.
  • In 1992-1993 Japan Cultural Festival was implemented.
  • 1993 Intellectual exchange started.
  • 1998 Research exchange started.
• (2) Prizes
  • 1985 Japan Prize was awarded to Former President Ephraim Katzir
  • Wolf Prizes were awarded to: KODAIRA Kunihiko (1984), HAYAISHI Osamu (1986), ITO Kiyoshi (1987), MAKI Fumihiko (1988), NAMBU Yoichiro (1994) NIAHIZUKA Yasutomi ( 1995), KOSHIBA Masatoshi (2000), NOYORI Ryoji (2001), SATO Mikio (2003), YAMANAKA Shinya (2011), FUJITA Makoto (2018)
  • Gold Award (the best work) of Japan International MANGA Award were commended to: “The Divine” by Asaf Hanuka & Tomer Hanuka (Artist) and Boaz Lavie (Story Artist) (9th Award, FY2015), “Piece of Mind” by Guy Lenman（Artist） and Nimrod Frydman（Story Writer）(13th Award, FY2019)
• (3) Cultural Exchanges
  • Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed in Japan (2000, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2014)
  • 2006 Sadogatake Stable, a stable of sumo wrestling, toured in Israel
  • 2012 on the occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of Japan -Israel diplomatic relations, many cultural event were held in both countries, among them the Japan-Israel joint production contemporary theater performance The Trojan Women directed by NINAGAWA Yukio.
  • 2014 "Jerusalem Japan Week" was held in Jerusalem
  • 2015 "Israel Culture Weekend in Kyoto" was held in Kyoto
  • Japan Cultural Envoys appointed by the Agency for Cultural Affairs were dispatched to Israel: YASUDA Yasutoshi (Igo/Shogi Specialist, FY2010), NODA Tetsuya (Fine Art Print Specialist, FY2010) , USUDA Tousen (Japanese Calligrapher, Kokuji Artisa, FY2011), MORIYAMA Mirai (Actor, FY2013), YAMADA Un (Choreographer, Dancer, FY2016)

Friendship Leagues:

• 1965 Japan-Israel Friendship Association
• 1984 Japan-Israel Parliamentary Friendship League
• 1996 Japan-Israel Chamber of Commerce