Croatia–Japan relations explained

Croatia and Japan maintain diplomatic relations through mutual embassies.

History

The two countries established diplomatic relations with each other on March 5, 1993. The embassy of Croatia in Tokyo was founded in September 1993 while the Japanese embassy in Zagreb was founded in February 1998.^[1]

During World War II, the Empire of Japan maintained an embassy in Zagreb and recognized the Independent State of Croatia, which was a puppet government of Nazi Germany; they were all part of the Axis powers.^[2]

Military ties

Croatia officially joined NATO on April 1, 2009.^[3] Since the accession to the military alliance, Croatia and Japan share the same ally, the United States.^[4]

A training ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) JDS Kashima visited to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia for celebrating 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries in September 2013.^[5] This is the first visit ever to Croatia by a Japanese naval vessel.^[6] A party for fellowship which includes joint performance by JMSDF Band and Croatian Navy Band was held aboard Kashima anchored in a port of Split, and Former Croatian President Stjepan Mesić, Japanese Ambassador Masaru Tsuji, JMSDF Rear Admiral Fumiyuki Kitagawa, dozens of militaries of both navies and general citizens were attended.^[7]

Sister cities

• Rijeka – Kawasaki (Since June 23, 1977^[8])
• Zagreb – Kyoto (Since October 22, 1981^[9])
• Pula – Hekinan (Since April 5, 2007^[10])

Resident diplomatic missions

• Croatia has an embassy in Tokyo.
• Japan has an embassy in Zagreb.

See also

• • Foreign relations of Croatia Foreign relations of Japan
• Japan–Yugoslavia relations

External links

• Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Japan
• Embassy of Japan in Croatia, Embassy of Japan in Croatia

Notes and References

1. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/croatia/data.html Japan-Croatia Relations
2. Vojinović, Aleksandar. NDH u Beogradu, P.I.P, Zagreb 1995. (pgs. 18–20)
3. http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_52342.htm NATO - News: NATO Secretary General welcomes Albania and Croatia as NATO members, 01-Apr.-2009
4. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/japan/forrel-us.htm U.S.-Japan Relations
5. https://www.morh.hr/hr/vijesti-najave-i-priopcenja/najave/8474-posjet-japanskog-broda-kashima-hrm-u-i-gradu-splitu.html Posjet japanskog broda "Kashima" HRM-u i gradu Splitu - Ministarstvo obrane RH
6. http://www.bandic.hr/index.php/bandic/news/39-kashima JDS „Kashima“, first Japanese navy ship visiting Croatia !
7. http://www.stjepanmesic.hr/en/node/168 Split, 04.09.2013. | President of the Republic of Croatia 2000-2010
8. http://www.rijeka.hr/GradoviPrijatelji Grad Rijeka - Gradovi prijatelji
9. http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/sogo/cmsfiles/contents/0000067/67519/09_Zagreb.pdf Sister Cities of Kyoto
10. http://www.pula.hr/fileadmin/sadrzaji/dokumenti/Sjednice_Gradskog_poglavarstva/29._sjednica-15.02.2007/2._tocka.pdf Prijedlog Odluke o suradnji između gradova Hekinana (Japan) i Pule (Republika Hrvatska)