Japan–Lithuania relations

Japan–Lithuania relations

Japan
Lithuania

Japan–Lithuania relations are the bilateral foreign relations between Japan and Lithuania. Japan has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Tokyo.

On February, 1992, Embassy of Japan to Lithuania was established in Denmark, and on January, 1997, it moved to Vilnius, Lithuania. On June, 1998, Embassy of Lithuania to Japan was established in Tokyo.[1]

Ambassador to Lithuania is Kazuko Shiraishi, ambassador to Japan is Egidijus Meilūnas.

History

January 3, 1919, the date when Japan recognized Lithuania de facto[2] 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 Sugihara. 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.[3] 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.[4]

Modern relations

There is a significant close partnership between the city of Kuji and Klaipėda, established in 1989.[5]

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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/area/lithuania/data.html
  2. ↑ Gintaras Kaselis, Ramojus Kraujelis, Stasys Lukšys, Arūnas Streikus, Mindaugas Tamošaitis "Istorijos vadovėlis. 12 kl. II dalis.", page 14
  3. ↑ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rdERAAAAIBAJ&sjid=huwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7037,4769490&dq=japan+lithuania+-russia+-china+-latvia+-estonia&hl=en
  4. ↑ Watts, Jonathan (October 9, 2000). "Japan at last honours its 'Schindler'". The Guardian (London). Retrieved May 5, 2010.
  5. ↑ Sister Cities Klaipeda and Kuji Celebrate the 20th Anniversary

External links