Japan–Lithuania relations
Encyclopedia
Japan–Lithuania relations are the bilateral
foreign relations
between Japan and Lithuania
. Japan has an embassy in Vilnius
. Lithuania has an embassy in Tokyo.
In 1997, Embassy of Japan was established in Lithuania, in 1998, Embassy of Lithuania was established in Japan. Ambassador to Lithuania is Miyoko Akashi
, ambassador to Japan is Dainius Kamaitis
.
. However, due to the occupation
, the consulate was shut the following year.
During World War II, in 1940 a Japanese diplomat named Chiune Sugihara
assisted the flight of Jewish refugees
by issuing them transit visas in Kaunas
,Lithuania. Sugihara was then a vice-consul at Japan's diplomatic mission had ignored instructions from the Japanese Government by issuing transit permits to Japan for Jewish families fleeing from Poland in the wake of the Nazi invasion. Up to 10,000 refugees were saved from this action.
and Klaipėda
, established in 1989.
Japan recognized Lithuania on September 6, 1991 and a month later diplomatic relations were re-established between these countries. In 1997 the Embassy of Japan was established in Vilnius and in 1998 the Embassy of Lithuania was established in Tokyo.
In 2007 Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan Akihito
and Michiko
paid an official visit to Lithuania.
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
foreign relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
between Japan and Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. Japan has an embassy in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
. Lithuania has an embassy in Tokyo.
In 1997, Embassy of Japan was established in Lithuania, in 1998, Embassy of Lithuania was established in Japan. Ambassador to Lithuania is Miyoko Akashi
Miyoko Akashi
is the current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lithuania, from 2008. She was born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and began to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affaires in 1971, after the graduate from Keio University. She served as a counselor of the Japan Embassy in Denmark from...
, ambassador to Japan is Dainius Kamaitis
Dainius Kamaitis
Dainius Kamaitis is the Lithuanian diplomat, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to Japan, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand....
.
History
January 3, 1919, the date when Japan recognized Lithuania de facto is considered the beginning of the bilateral relations. On February 8, 1929 the agreement by which visas were abolished was signed between Japan and Lithuania, while in 1930 the Trade and shipping agreement was signed. On November 23, 1939 Japanese consulate was established, led by Vice Consul Chiune SugiharaChiune Sugihara
was a Japanese diplomat who served as Vice-Consul for the Japanese Empire in Lithuania. During World War II, he helped several thousand Jews leave the country by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees so that they could travel to Japan. Most of the Jews who escaped were refugees from...
. However, due to the occupation
Occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union (1940)
The occupation and annexation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union covers the period from the Soviet–Baltic mutual assistance pacts in 1939, to the illegal annexation in 1940, to the mass deportations of 1941...
, the consulate was shut the following year.
During World War II, in 1940 a Japanese diplomat named Chiune Sugihara
Chiune Sugihara
was a Japanese diplomat who served as Vice-Consul for the Japanese Empire in Lithuania. During World War II, he helped several thousand Jews leave the country by issuing transit visas to Jewish refugees so that they could travel to Japan. Most of the Jews who escaped were refugees from...
assisted the flight of Jewish refugees
Jewish refugees
In the course of history, Jewish populations have been expelled or ostracised by various local authorities and have sought asylum from antisemitism numerous times...
by issuing them transit visas in Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
,Lithuania. Sugihara was then a vice-consul at Japan's diplomatic mission had ignored instructions from the Japanese Government by issuing transit permits to Japan for Jewish families fleeing from Poland in the wake of the Nazi invasion. Up to 10,000 refugees were saved from this action.
Modern relations
There is a significant close partnership between the city of KujiKuji, Iwate
is a city located in Iwate, Japan.-History:The city was founded on November 3, 1954. In 2003, the city had an estimated population of 36,596 and the population density of 111.70 persons per km²...
and Klaipėda
Klaipeda
Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
, established in 1989.
Japan recognized Lithuania on September 6, 1991 and a month later diplomatic relations were re-established between these countries. In 1997 the Embassy of Japan was established in Vilnius and in 1998 the Embassy of Lithuania was established in Tokyo.
In 2007 Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan Akihito
Akihito
is the current , the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989.-Name:In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to . In...
and Michiko
Michiko
Michiko is a Japanese given name, used for females. Although written romanized the same way, the Japanese language written forms can be different...
paid an official visit to Lithuania.