State Secretary Matušić holds political consultations in Japan, opens consulate in Osaka

State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić was on a visit to Japan 10-14 June 2023, four years after the consultations in Zagreb and coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Croatia-Japan diplomatic relations. In Tokyo he met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada and Assistant Foreign Minister and Director-General for Europe Masashi Nakagome. The officials exchanged views on the current foreign policy topics, challenges in the Indo-Pacific, Japan’s relations with the EU and NATO, as well as topics of international and regional importance, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, energy crisis, climate, and the situation in Southeast Europe. They also discussed economic cooperation, notably investments, and development cooperation projects. Partnership between Croatian and Japanese cities was highlighted as an important aspect of the two countries’ cooperation, with a growing potential for the additional strengthening of local partnerships.
 
At the JATA (Japan Association of Travel Agents) headquarters, Matušić held talks with President Tadeshi Shimuro about the return of Japanese tourists to Croatia and creating new tourist products. The upcoming EXPO 2025 in Osaka was underscored as an opportunity for advancing Croatia’s visibility and recognizability.
 
During his stay in Osaka, Matušić opened the Croatian Consulate, headed by Honorary Consul Shigeki Ebi. The state secretary underlined its importance for boosting economic relations with Japan as well as for the promotion of Croatia as an EU member state attractive to investors, business projects, academic, scientific and cultural cooperation, and the exchange of experiences in the field of high technology. Matušić also met with representatives of the Croatian diaspora.

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