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History of diplomatic relations
Official relations between Latvia and Japan began in 1919. Japan was one of the first countries in the world to recognise the newly acquired independence of Latvia. Japan recognised the independence of Latvia de facto as early as 10 January 1919 and de iure on 26 January 1921.
During the period of Latvia's existence as an independent state before World War II, Japan was the only Asian country to open its diplomatic representation in Latvia. Latvia, in its turn, opened a consulate in Tokyo.
After the restoration of Latvia's independence, Japan recognised the Republic of Latvia on 5 September 1991 and renewed bilateral relations with Latvia on 10 October of the same year.
Undoubtedly, the opening of Japan's Embassy in Riga on 8 March 2000 has contributed largely toward the development of relations between both countries.
On 1 April 2000, the agreement on visa-free regime between Latvia and Japan took effect.
On 10 July 2006, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to Japan presented his credentials to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan.
On 20 April 2006, the first Latvian Embassy in Japan was opened.
On 10 October 2006, Latvia and Japan marked the 15th anniversary of the restoration of their diplomatic relations.
Ambassadors of Japan to Latvia (with residence in Stockholm):
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Kagechika Matano |
1995-1997 |
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Takeshi Fujii |
28 October 1997 - 18 October 2000 |
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Tomio Uchida |
21 November 2000 - 2 February 2004 |
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Seiichiro Otsuka |
29 March 2004 - 20 June 2007 |
On 24 March 2006, Mr Katsuhiko Kubo took up office as the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan in Riga.
Visits in 2006
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18-24 February 2006 |
Official visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks. Meetings in Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo, and Naha (Okinawa). |
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20 February 2006 |
Meeting between Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and the Governor of Kyoto prefecture, Yamada Keiji. |
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21 February 2006 |
Meeting between Latvian delegation and representatives of the Toyota Motor Corporation management in Nagoya. |
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22 February 2006 |
Meeting between Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and President of the Japanese Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Yoichi Masuzoe. |
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22 February 2006 |
Meeting between Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso. |
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23 February 2006 |
Meeting between Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and members of the Japanese-Latvian Parliamentary Association and its Chairman Hirofumi Nakasone. |
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23 February 2006 |
Meeting between Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks and the Mayor of the city of Naha, Takeshi Onaga; visit to Naha port area on 24 February. |
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18 - 22 April 2006 |
First visit to Japan by Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis. Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Foreign Minister Taro Aso, and representatives from Hitachi and Mitsubishi Corporation and the biggest association of industrial enterprises Keidanren. Official opening of the first Latvian Embassy in Japan. |
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2 - 4 May 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by the Chairman of the Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Co-operation Group, Hirofumi Nakasone. |
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20 - 22 July 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by the Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Japan and the Minister of Administrative Reforms, Koki Chuma. Meeting with the President of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks. |
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26 - 28 October 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by the Japanese Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takeshi Iwaya. |
Visits in 2007
Co-operation at the parliamentary level
In the summer of 1996, the Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Association was established under the Japanese Parliament. One of the initiators for the opening of the Association was the Japanese Ambassador to Latvia, Kagechika Matano (1995 -1997). Members of the Japanese Parliament visited Latvia a total of three times (in September 1996, in July 1997, and in April 1998).
On 16-17 July 1997, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Japanese Parliament, Masakuni Murakami, visited Latvia under the Japanese parliamentary delegation.
On 2-4 May 2006, the Chairman of the Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Association, Hirofumi Nakasone, visited Latvia where he met with the Latvian Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of the Saeima, Ingrida Udre, and with representatives of the Latvia-Japan co-operation group of the Saeima.
In July of 2006, Member of the House of Representatives and Parliamentary Secretary of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Kyoko Nishikawa, visited Latvia.
On 7 December 2006, the Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Co-operation Group was established under the 9th Saeima. It consists of 20 members, with Mr Janis Porietis (People's Party) as the Chairman and Mr Arturs Rubiks (Saskanas centrs "Harmony centre") as the Deputy Chairman.
Co-operation between Riga and Kobe
Riga has been co-operating with the Japanese city of Kobe since 1974, based on the co-operation agreement signed between both cities. The co-operation takes place mainly in the education, culture and social sectors. In 1996, in exchange for a baby elephant girl named Zuze, the Riga Zoo was presented with a collection of Japanese cranes, which are rare birds in Europe.
In 2005, a delegation from the City of Kobe visited Riga to conduct a study on the designing of a Japanese garden in Riga.
Riga also received an invitation from the Embassy of Japan to promote kendo, the Japanese sport of sword fighting, in Riga. In this regard, representatives of the Kendo club from Kobe made a visit to Riga.
In 2005, representatives of the Riga City Council met with representatives of the Hyogo Prefectural Association for Medical Doctors (City of Kobe).
In 2004, Riga and Kobe marked the 30th anniversary of mutual co-operation. On this occasion an exchange of official delegations and exhibitions took place.
On 27-28 November 2006, representatives of the Latvian Embassy to Japan and the Parex bank representation made a visit to Riga's sister city of Kobe.
On 27-28 March 2007, the Latvian Ambassador to Japan, Peteris Vaivars, made a working visit to Kobe and Osaka, the capital of the Kansai region.
On 21 May 2007, an amateur choir from Kobe was given a reception by the Riga City Council. The visit was followed by a joint concert by the Atvasara and Daugavas Vanadzes choirs from Riga together with the Kobe amateur choir at the VEF Culture Palace.
Between 7 -13 August 2007, representatives of the Kobe Kendo League - Masao Yoshida-sensei (7 dan Kendo, Kyoshi) and Kensaku Kobayashi (4 dan Kendo) visited Riga. The event was organised as part of the exchange programme among the sister-city sports delegations. The visitors went on a city tour and met with Janis Birks, Mayor of Riga. They also held a seminar for the members of the Kendo Club Latvia that became a significant event for Latvian athletes who greatly appreciated the rich seminar programme.
Co-operation in international organisations
Currently, one of the main areas of co-operation between Latvia and Japan is the provision of mutual support within international organisations, including the UN, UNESCO and the WTO.
Latvia expresses appreciation of the support provided by Japan in 1999 when Latvia prepared to join the WTO, and believes this support to be a good basis for further development of commercial contacts between the two countries.
A visit to Riga by the Secretary General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, on 7 - 9 December 2001 was a significant event for Latvia. During the visit, Mr Matsuura met with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Minister of Culture Karina Petersone and Minister of Education Karlis Greiskalns. The meeting with the Rector of the University of Latvia Ivars Lacis was followed by a discussion with academic staff of the University on the organisation of teaching processes and research work at the University. The senior official also had the opportunity to see Dainu skapis (the Cabinet of Latvian Folk Songs) at the Latvian Academy of Sciences and was also interested in Riga's art nouveau architecture and the Old Town. Latvia has received support from UNESCO member states for the Latvian National Library project.
On 16 August 2006, the Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Shigeru Omi, who is also the Japanese candidate for the post of WHO Director-General, visited Latvia.
Bilateral economic relations
In 2006, the trade turnover between Latvia and Japan amounted to 59.27 million EUR, which is by 12 per cent more in comparison with the previous year. On average, export used to increase by 20-30 per cent each year, whereas in 2006, the amount of export volume fell by five percent, which was due to the fall in the aluminium export. The amount of import increased by 45 per cent (mostly import of vehicles) in 2006.
Between 15-17 September 2007, a group of businessmen from the Japanese economic mission FEC (International Friendship Exchange Council) visited Latvia. As part of the schedule for their visit the Japanese businessmen held meetings with President Valdis Zatlers, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, the Minister of Economy, Jurijs Strods, and Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks.
The Japanese entrepreneurs also visited Latvijas Dzelzcels, Riga International Airport and the Administration of the Riga Free Port.
Trade (according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia)
2006
1. Lithuania - EUR 626,740,647 or 14.11% of Latvia's total exports;
2. Estonia - EUR 538,234,608 or 12.12%;
3. Germany - EUR 447,816,470 or 10.07%;
4. Russia - EUR 415,342,445 or 9.37%;
5. United Kingdom - EUR 352,497,937 or 7.93%;
âÀ¦
22. Japan - EUR 33,811,422 or 0.76%.
1. Germany - EUR 1,278,230,457 or 15.02% of Latvia's total imports;
2. Lithuania - EUR 1,090,232,705 or 12.81%;
3. Russia - EUR 710,081,879 or 8.32%;
4. Estonia - EUR 642,801,715 or 7.56%;
5. Poland - EUR 596,234,160 or 7.01%;
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29. Japan - EUR 25,463,293 or 0.30%.
Latvia has a positive trade balance with Japan of EUR 8,348,129.
Main export commodities to Japan by type of commodity in the first half of 2006
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Type of commodity |
M EUR |
Percentage of total exports |
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Total |
33.81 |
100% |
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Timber and timber articles
- wood sawn or chipped lengthwise 95.84% |
26.94 |
76.67% |
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Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment
- electrical, laser and other machinery/apparatus 95.93% |
2.87 |
8.48% |
Main import commodities from Japan by type of commodity in the first half of 2006
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Type of commodity |
M EUR |
Percentage of total imports |
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Total |
25.46 |
100% |
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Transport vehicles
- motor vehicles 89.14% |
13.39 |
52.59% |
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Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment |
8.11 |
31.85% |
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Optical instruments and apparatus; clocks, music instruments |
2.05 |
2.05 |
Trade dynamics between Latvia and Japan from 1998 to 2006
Investment (according to data from Latvijas Banka and Lursoft)
Foreign direct investment in Latvia (as of the end of 2006);
1. Sweden - 567.5 M LVL (14.06% of total foreign investment);
2. Estonia - 476.7 M LVL (11.81%);
3. Germany - 443.3 M LVL (10.98%);
4. Denmark - 339.7 M LVL (8.42%);
5. Russia - 266.2 M LVL (6.59%);
âÀ¦
Japan < 1 M LVL.
Co-operation in research sector
In 1999, a Japanese technical assistance project The Study on Environmental Management Plan for Lubana Wetland Complex in the Republic of Latvia was launched in co-operation between the Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development and Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). Latvian participants in the project were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Municipality Affairs Board, the State Forestry Service, the State Fisheries Board, and the Rezekne City Municipality. The purpose of the project was to explore the ecosystem in Lubana wetlands over an 18-month period and to elaborate its management plan and a flood regulation scheme. As part of the project, Japanese scientists did the research work in Lubana marshy meadows and processed the acquired data in Japan.
As a result of this co-operation, Japanese specialists have designed a project for the management of these territories proposing the establishment of a recreational area and a fish farm on the territory of the Lubana wetlands. The project provides for the building of walking paths through the marsh meadows and the posting of bird-watching towers and informative signs.
A regular exchange of information takes place between the Latvian Academy of Sciences and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science whose office is located in Stockholm.
Several members of the Latvian Academy of Sciences are also members of the Taiho-Latvia Foundation Board. Each year the Foundation (annual budget comprises about EUR 20,000 financed by Japan) allocates a number of research grants in medicinal chemistry (mostly for researchers from the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis) and gives a partial financing to the Latvian Academy of Sciences library for the purchase of Japanese literature on pharmacy, medicine, and chemistry.
The Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis has established a long-term co-operation with Japanese pharmaceutical companies in the production of medicine, and regular visits are made to a number of Japanese Universities.
The Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia co-operates with Japanese colleagues on the subject "Research of the glass used for fiber-optics, ultra-violet and high-power laser optics" (N.Skuja).
In 1965, the Latvian pharmaceutical company Grindex initiated co-operation with Taiho Pharmaceutical and Iskra Industry, and in 1972, an agreement on the supply of the original anti-cancer medicine - active pharmaceutical substance Ftorafurs®, designed by Grindeks, was signed. Over the past years, Grindeks has won recognition on the quality-oriented Japanese market. Each month Grindeks exports to Japan 100 kg of active substance Ftorafurs®, which accounts for five per cent of the total turnover at Grindeks. Ftorafurs® has a high demand in the cancer treatment in the Japanese market, used both in monotherapy and as an ingredient in modern anti-cancer medication UFT.
Co-operation in education
Since 1990, a secondary school of Japanese language and culture has been operating in Riga. This school is an essential component in the promoting of Japanese cultural heritage and language in Latvia. From 1991 to 1993, the Secondary School of the Japanese language functioned as an evening school for Japanese language courses. Since 1993, it has operated as the Riga Municipality Secondary School of Japanese Language and Culture.
In September 2001, the Secondary School of Japanese Language and Culture merged with the Christian Secondary School and was renamed Riga Culture School. The Japanese language is still a part of the school's curriculum.
The Faculty of Modern Languages at the University of Latvia offers a programme of Asian studies, which also includes the Japanese studies. At present the Asian study programme has 108 students. Two lecturers from Japan are presently working at the Faculty of Modern Languages of the University of Latvia: Sari HASHIMOTO and Ayumi KUROSAWA. From 1999 to 2006, the Japanese language was also taught by other guest teachers - Misa FUKUI, Yosino YAMAMOTO and Hisayoshi ONO.
Several students from the University of Latvia continue their postgraduate studies in Japanese universities and also travel to this faraway country to enhance the language skills acquired at the University of Latvia.
The University of Latvia has signed bilateral co-operation and student exchange agreements with the Waseda University, Kansai University of Foreign Languages, Tsukuba University and Yamagata University. The agreements provide for the exchange of students and lecturers.
Within the ERASMUS-SOCRATES programmes, co-operation with the Department of Asian Studies of the University of Venice has been started and, so far, one Japanese Studies student has made use of an opportunity to study at the host university.
The university co-operation and students exchange agreements offer an opportunity for 2 to 6 Japanese Studies students to study in Japan each year. In the academic year 2006/07 there were 3 Latvian students at Japanese universities. From 2002 to 2006, Japanese universities have hosted a total of 14 Latvian students.
The Faculty of Modern Languages received a grant of USD 19,319 from the Japanese Embassy for the purchase of audio-visual equipment.
In 2002, the University of Latvia signed an agreement with the Nippon Foundation of Japan on the receipt of the grant (USD 1 million) for the purpose of using deposit interest for scholarships. In 2005, an additional USD 9,000 was granted to the Foundation scholarship holders for exchange trips to the universities - participants of the Roichi Sazakawa New Leaders Scholarship Programme.
Between 10 - 31 July 2007, a representative delegation of Latvian youth visited Japan as part of the International Youth Exchange Programme, implemented by the Japanese Government, the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia and the International Youth Programme Agency.
Between 10 - 17 September, a representative delegation of Japanese youth stayed in Latvia, visited various Latvian public institutions, took part in voluntary work as well as acquainted themselves with Latvian culture and history.
As part of the visit on 11 September, Baiba Rivza, Minister for Education and Science met with the Japanese youth delegation.
A Japanese youth delegation visited Latvia also in 2006. They met with Baiba Rivza, Minister for Education and Science and familiarised themselves with Latvia, its culture and traditions.
Sports
The many-times World champion in hockey, Helmuts Balderis, trained the Japanese hockey players from 1985 to 1989. On 8 October 2005, the Latvia-Japan friendship football event was held in Riga. With 150 Japanese journalists accredited for the game, it was by far the largest number of foreign journalists present. The friendship game ended with a score of 2:2.
Between 25 August - 2 September 2007, Latvian track and field athletes took part in the Track and Field World Championship in Osaka.
Development of cultural contacts
Latvia is interested in continuing a successful co-operation with Japan, a country that highly values its cultural traditions.
In view of Latvia's and Japan's rich cultural heritage, co-operation and exchange programmes are being developed between cultural and educational institutions of both countries. Latvian artists often attend various festivals and competitions organised by Japan and go on concert tours to Japan.
From 20 September to 3 October 2005, the Rector of the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, Juris Karlsons, and other Academy representatives went on an exchange trip to Japan.
On 23 September 2005, on a beautiful and sunny Indian summer day in Tokyo, during the Autumn Festival when people in Japan celebrate their meeting with ancestral spirits, two concerts were held as part of the international project Contemporary Music of Latvia.
As part of the musical programmes for composition and organ music, the modern concert hall Bunku Kaikan hosted the performance of the works by Lucija Garuta, Karlis Lacis, Juris Karlsons, Solveiga Selga, Gundega Smite, Anitra Tumsevica, including the world premiere performance of Romualds Jermaks' cycle Planets for organ.
The European Union and Japan announced the year 2005 the "EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges". As part of this, a photo exhibition on the theme Japanese Gardens and Temples at Cherry Blossom Time was opened at the Latvian Museum of Natural History from 1 April 2005 to 8 May 2005. The works reveal an individual view about Japanese culture treasures - the uniqueness of the philosophical Japanese gardens created as a result of the interaction between man and nature.
As part of the EU-Japan Friendship Year, ten Japanese films were screened at the cinema "K.Suns" from 11 to 20 October 2005.
On 9-10 September 2005, Latvia hosted a Japanese Contemporary Music Festival. As part of the festival, an exhibition "Japanese Contemporary Music" was opened at the Music and Sound Recordings Division at the Latvian National Library. The exhibition included the materials donated by the Japan Federation of Composers and the donations by the Institute of Music named after Yoshiro Irino (one of the greatest Japanese composers of the post-war period).
In September 2005, a performance of works by Yoshiro Irino and a small concert was held at the Latvian Composers' Union.
On 20 September 2005, as part of the European tour, the Okinawa Song and Dance Theatre "CHURA" presented a dance performance "Flowers of the Sun - Exciting Okinawa" in Riga. The Okinawa Song and Dance Theatre presents innovative performances taking account of ancient traditions.
On 30 October 2005, the Japanese theatre NO Umewaka Kennokai performed on the stage of the National Theatre. For the first time ever Latvian audiences had the possibility to see a traditional inspiring Japanese drama.
From 11 November 2005 to 8 January 2006, an exhibition "Conversations with Snow and Ice: Meeting of Art and Science" was opened in 5 exhibition halls at the Latvian Museum of Natural History. Snow, ice and snow crystals were presented as a phenomenon of nature, science and art. "If we could see ten times better, we would not be able to tread fresh snowâÀ¦snowflakes are letters from heavenâÀ¦" said Japanese scientist Ukichiro Nakaya, one of the project contributors.
On 3 April 2006, the Latvian Museum of Natural History published the newest Japanese-Latvian dictionary of Kanji (Japanese writing system), which is the first comprehensive dictionary with explanations of hieroglyphs (on 1000 pages). An earlier edition, the Japanese-Latvian dictionary, was published in 2000 and included 10,000 word explanations (200 pages).
On 26 April 2006, the Koknese Foundation (a non-profit public organization) announced an international tender for ideas for the development of a memorial site on the Krievkalna island on the Daugava river for the victims of 20th century totalitarian regimes. The Japanese priest and the world's leading landscape designer, Shunmyo Masuno, was selected as the winner of the competition.
From 8 to 11 July 2006, The Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus gave concerts in Latvia.
On 9 December 2006, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Japan, LTV1 state television channel launched a series of documentary films about Japan.
From 9 to 15 January 2007, as part of the Japanese Film Days in Riga, seven Japanese films were shown at the cinema K.Suns.
On 27 January 2007, the Jana Church hosted the concert of Japanese music, Songs from the East, performed by the Latvian Radio Choir and the renowned Japanese conductor Chifuru Matsubara.
On 2 February 2007, the Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design opened an exhibition of the Japanese contemporary ceramics.
On 26 February 2007, the Japanese drum band Yamamoto gave a concert at the Riga Congress Hall.
On 22 April 2007, the Janagawa choir from Japan gave a concert in Daugavpils.
On 10 July 2007, the Latvian Embassy in Japan hosted a solo recital by the Latvian pianist Lauma Skride. Her repertoire included works by Mozart, Schumann and other composers. Notable representatives of Japanese society and the foreign diplomatic corps in Tokyo attended the concert, which was the first event of its kind to be held at the Embassy.
Between 4 - 6 August 2007, representatives of the Japanese Scout delegation visited Latvia and returned the Silver Wolf decoration, a Scouting symbol and an award for special merits.
Japan's technical assistance projects in Latvia
The list of the positive examples of co-operation between both countries includes such projects as co-operation between the Government of Japan and the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and the project between the government of Japan and the Latvian National Opera. In 1998 and 2001 respectively, the government of Japan provided non-refundable technical assistance to the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and the Latvian National Opera for the purchase of musical instruments.
On 26 September 2002, Latvia and Japan signed an intergovernmental agreement on the non-refundable cultural grant aid by the government of Japan to Latvia, which is a significant support for the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. The total amount of the grant constituted LVL 252,000.
On 20 November 2003, Latvia and Japan signed an agreement on non-refundable technical assistance to the Latvian State Archives of Film, Photo and Phono Documents to the amount of LVL 124,000.
On 30 November 2004, both countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on the provision of a non-refundable grant by the government of Japan to the National History Museum of Latvia to the amount of LVL 155,000.
In 2004, as part of the culture grant project, the Latvian State Archives of Film, Photo and Phono Documents received the TELECINE equipment from the government of Japan. In spring of 2005, the equipment was installed, and staff members of the archive were instructed on how to operate it. The official launch ceremony for the equipment took place on 20 June 2005. Present at the opening was the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova who opened the audiovisual documents maintenance programme by launching the TELECINE equipment presented by the Japanese government.
On 4 October 2006, the government of Japan awarded a cultural grant to the Latvian Museum of History to the amount of LVL 12,000.
Exchange of visits and meetings
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18 - 22 September 2001 |
Visit to Japan by the Minister of Economy, Aigars Kalvitis, as part of the Baltic manufacturers' exhibition organized by JETRO |
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15 - 21 December 2001 |
Visit to Japan by the Minister of Education and Science, Karlis Greiskalns; participation in UNICEF 2nd World Conference, organized in co-operation with the Japanese government, on Commercial and Sexual Use of Children |
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18 December 2001 |
Visit to Riga by the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister, Shigeo Uetake, as part of the visit to the Baltic states |
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25 June 2003 |
Visit to Latvia by the Deputy Director-General for European Affairs of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Jasuaki Tanizaki, to Latvia |
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1 December 2004 |
Meeting between Foreign Ministry State Secretary Normans Penke and Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia, Seiichiro Otsuka |
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8 - 12 May 2005 |
Visit to Tokyo by the Foreign Ministry delegation, headed by Under-Secretary of State, Peteris Vaivars |
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30 November 2005 |
Meeting between Under-Secretary of State Peteris Vaivars and Japanese Ambassador Seiiciro Otsuka |
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24 - 29 December 2005 |
Working visit to Japan by Under-Secretary of State Peteris Vaivars |
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13 - 14 February 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by Japanese Ambassador Seiichiro Otsuka |
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18 - 25 February 2006 |
Official visit to Japan by Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks |
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18 - 22 April 2006 |
Working visit to Japan by Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis |
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2 - 4 May 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by Chairman of Japan-Latvia Parliamentary Association, Hirofumi Nakasone |
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20 - 22 July 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by Mr Kouki Chuma, Special Envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi (Administrative Reforms Minister at Koizumi's government) |
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16 August 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by Dr Shigeru Omi, candidate for the post of the Director General of the World Health Organization, WHO Regional Director |
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4 October 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by representatives of Mitshubishi Corporation |
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26 - 28 October 2006 |
Visit to Latvia by the Japanese Foreign Ministry Vice-Minister Takeshi Iwaya |
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