Embassy of the Republic of Serbia hosted reception on 15 February 2017 on Serbia Statehood Day. Over 250 guests attended the event, including the State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Nobuo Kishi as the Chief Guest, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of Japanese business community, cultural and scientific community, academia, media, members of the Serbian community and the diplomatic corps.

Two Japanese daily newspapers in English language, Japan News and Japan Times, carried Ambassador of Serbia’s message as well as congratulatory messages by the Japanese dignitaries.

While recollecting his visit to Serbia in 2013, State Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Nobuo Kishi emphasized that Japan will continue to support Serbia’s efforts to carry out reforms on the path to becoming the member of European Union. He expressed confidence that relations between Japan and Serbia will be further strengthened and diversified by promoting cooperation in various fields. State Minister conveyed satisfaction with the development of the bilateral relations in wide-ranging areas, including the economy, reminding that a Japanese company decided in 2016 to make a new investment in the Serbian city of Šabac, sister city of Fujimi City in Saitama Prefecture. Mr. Kishi also pointed out that Serbia Women’s National Kendo Team, under the leadership of Japanese coach Ms. Hitomi Kuon, won the silver medal at European Championship 2016, and that Hofu City of Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kashiwazaki City of Niigata Prefecture will be the host towns for the Serbian national teams in volleyball and water polo in preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Ambassador Mr. Nenad Glišić stressed that 2017 marks the 135th anniversary of the first official communication between Serbia and Japan and the exchange of letters between the King of Serbia Milan Obrenović the First and the Emperor Meiji. Ambassador expressed satisfaction with good bilateral relations in political, scientific, cultural and sport fields, emphasizing that Serbia is looking forward to further strengthening of economic ties, with more investments from Japan in the future. He also conveyed gratitude to the Government of Japan for the valuable assistance provided to Serbia in facing the challenges regarding the migrant crisis.

At the reception, students of Tokyo University for Foreign Studies (TUFS) dressed in Serbian national dress performed Serbian traditional dances. Guests also had the opportunity to taste traditional Serbian food and drinks, including the wines of the Serbian “Aleksandrović Winery”.