On 17 March 1992 Japan has recognized the Republic of Croatia. Before the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan, Croatia had the Foreign Office in Tokyo that was in charge of enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. After the establishment of diplomatic relations on 5 March 1993, Croatia opened its Embassy in Tokyo on 3 September 1993. At the beginning the Embassy of Japan in Vienna was the non-resident Embassy for Croatia. On 1 March 1998 Japan opened its Embassy in Zagreb.
This year on 5 March we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and Japan, the two, geographically far away but emotionally close and friendly, countries. Croatia has very good and friendly relations with Japan and it has a great interest in strengthening its bilateral relations with Japan. That was the reason why this year from 4 to 8 March the President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesic visited Japan. This was the first ever official working visit by the Croatian President to Japan since the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Stjepan Mesic made the State Call on His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan hosted a Court Lunch in honor of President Mesic. On the same day President Mesic had a meeting and dinner with Yasou Fukuda, the Prime Minister of Japan. President Mesic also visited Kawasaki, Kyoto and Hiroshima. This successful visit to Japan by President Mesic gave a new impetus for the enhancement of overall cooperation between Croatia and Japan.
Significant political cooperation has been developed between Croatian and Japanese Parliaments. The bilateral relations between two countries are promoted by the Inter-parliamentary Group of Friendship between Croatia and Japan within the Croatian Parliament and in Diet by the Parliamentary League Japan-Croatia. One of the founders of this League and its prominent member is Yasou Fukuda who was the Prime Minister of Japan until 24 September 2008. For his special contribution to the development of friendship and cooperation between Croatia and Japan on 5 March 2008 President Mesic has awarded Yasou Fukuda with the high decoration of the Republic of Croatia of the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Sash and Stars; also Ms Chieko Nohno, the member of the House of Councilors of the Parliament of Japan, and Mr Sadakazu Tanigaki, the member of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Japan, were awarded the Order of Duke Trpimir with Ribbon and Stars.
From 14 December 2005 Dr Drago štambuk is the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Japan. Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia is Tetsushia Shirikawa.
Visits by the Croatian dignitaries to Japan
1992 Minister of Foreign Affairs Zvonimir šeparovic
1993 Minister in the Government Zlatko Mateša
1996 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mate Granic
1997 Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Academic Vlatko Pavletic
1999 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Borislav škegro
2000 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Slavko Linic
and Minister of Finance Mato Crkvenac
2001 Minister of Economy Goranko Fižulic
2001 Minister of Tourism Pave Župan Ruskovic
2002 Minister of Finance Mato Crkvenac
2002 Minister of Foreign Affairs Tonino Picula
2005 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Family Affairs, Homeland War Veterans and Intergeneration Solidarity Jadranka Kosor, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, Minister of Finance Ivan šuker, Minister of Culture Božo Biškupic
2006 Minister of Science, Education and Sport Dragan Primorac (in March and in September)
2008 President of the Republic of Croatia Stjepan Mesic
Visits by the Japanese dignitaries to Croatia
1993 Japanese delegation headed by Taizo Shibanom, representative in the Parliament
1994 Representative of the Government of Japan headed by
Shunji Yanaiemom, General Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1995 Minister of Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono
1996 Representatives of the Parliament of Japan and General Secretary of the Parliamentary League Japan-Croatia Cheiko Nohno
1999 State Secretary for Finance Sadakazu Tanigaki
2000 Envoy of the Government of Japan Tatsuo Arima
2002 Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako
2004 Representatives of the Parliament of Japan and members of the Parliamentary League Japan-Croatia Shozaburo Nakamura and Chieko Nohno
2007 Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Midori Matsushima
2008 Delegation of the House of Councillors of the National Parliament of Japan headed by Akiko Santo, the Vice-President of the House of Councillors
Tokyo, November 1, 2008
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