Georgia–Japan relations

Georgian-Japanese relations were established on August 3, 1992, just over one year since Georgia became independent from the Soviet Union. Since November 2006, Georgia has maintained an embassy in Tokyo.[1] Japan has an embassy in Tbilisi.

Georgian-Japanese relations
Map indicating locations of Georgia and Japan

Georgia
Japan

Economy and foreign aid

Japan has extended foreign aid to Georgia for various economic and cultural development projects. The balance of trade between the two nations is heavily in favor of Japan, with Japan exporting automobiles and manufactured goods, and Georgia exporting food products and chemicals.

Military cooperation

In February 2011 Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Nikoloz Vashakidze met with Director-General for International Affairs, Bureau of Defense Policy of the Japanese Defense Ministry Hiroshi Oe and discussed further prospects of military cooperation between Georgia and Japan during the meeting.[2]

Japan's official statement on Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Japanese FM Masahiko Koumura, who expressed Japan's full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia in August 2008.

Japan supports Georgia's territorial claims over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. On August 27, 2008, Masahiko Koumura Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan issued the official statement entirely supporting Georgia's territorial integrity, which was followed by the formal recognition of the proclaimed republics by Russia on the previous day.[3]

According to the October 2014 Joint Statement between Japan and Georgia on "Solidarity for Peace and Democracy": "Both sides shared the view that peaceful resolution to the conflict in Georgia's occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia in line with the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders are essential for the peace and stability of the country and the entire South Caucasus region".[4] Japan's position on "Georgia's occupied regions of Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and Abkhazia" was reaffirmed in the 1 March 2017 statement by the Embassy of Japan in Georgia.[5]

On March 29, 2022, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Embassy of Japan again issued an official statement to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and to deny the so-called "parliamentary elections" in Abkhazia held twice on that month.[6]

High level visits
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili (left) and Japanese PM Shinzō Abe at the PM's Official Residence in Tokyo on March 8, 2007.

Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze made an official visit to Japan in March 1999[1] and President Mikheil Saakashvili visited Japan in March 2007.[7]

2014 Georgia–Japan summit

In October 2014, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili made a working visit to Tokyo, where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned to Margvelashvili that Georgia shared the same fundamental values with Japan and both leaders issued Joint Statement fully supporting the territorial integrity of Georgia, strengthening of economic relations between both countries, and other overall development objectives.[8]

Diplomatic mission

Georgian Ambassadors to Japan
David Nozadze (chargé d'affaires, 2006-2008)[9]
  1. Ivane Machavariani (2008-2009)[9]
  2. Revaz Beshidze (2010-2013)[9]
  3. Levan Tsintsadze (2014-?)[9]
  4. Teimuraz Lezhava (2021-)[10]

Japanese Ambassadors to Georgia
Embassy of Japan in Tbilisi (April 2012)
  1. Sumio Edamura (in Moscow, 1992–1994)
  2. Koji Watanabe (in Moscow, 1994–1996)
  3. Takehiro Togo (in Moscow, 1996–1999)
  4. Minoru Tamba (in Moscow, 1999–2000)
  5. Tetsuya Hirose (in Baku, 2000–2002)
  6. Toshiyuki Fujiwara (in Baku, 2002–2004)
  7. Tadahiro Abe (in Baku, 2004–2007)
  8. Masamitsu Oki (in Baku, 2007–2009)
  9. Masayoshi Kamohara (2009-2012)[11]
  10. Toshio Kaitani (2013-2017)[12]
  11. Tadaharu Uehara (2017-)[13]

See also

References
  1. "Relations between Georgia and Japan". Embassy of Georgia to Japan. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
  2. "Georgia, Japan discuss cooperation prospects in defense sphere". February 4, 2011.
  3. MOFA: Statement by Foreign Minister Koumura on Russia's Recognition of the Independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia - August 27, 2008
  4. "Joint Statement between Japan and Georgia on "Solidarity for Peace and Democracy"" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 24 October 2014. p. 3. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. "Statement of the Embassy of Japan in Georgia" (PDF). Embassy of Japan in Georgia. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  6. "Statement of the Embassy of Japan in Georgia on the so-called "parliamentary elections" in Abkhazia". Embassy of Japan in Georgia. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  7. "Saakashvili in Japan to Boost Ties". Civil Georgia. 9 March 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  8. Visit to Japan by H.E. Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili, President of Georgia ｜ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan - October 25, 2014
  9. "Search - Embassy of Georgia to Japan". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  10. "INTERVIEW Deep Cultural Understanding as the Foundation of a Strong Friendship". Hersey Magazine. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  11. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Georgia | Embassy of Georgia to Japan - August 17, 2009
  12. The newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Georgia has presented copies of his credentials to the Georgian First Deputy Foreign Minister | Embassy of Georgia to Japan - June 12, 2013
  13. "Sumitomo : Japan names new ambassadors to Greece, El Salvador, Georgia". 4-Traders.com. Surperformance SAS. 2017-06-19. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
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