15 minute read
This year, Armenia and Japan mark the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Bilateral ties are developing across political, economic, cultural, and educational spheres.
Orbeli Center analyst Elya Harutyunyan conducted an interview with Japanese Ambassador to Armenia, Yutaka Aoki, to discuss the current state of bilateral relations, Japan’s policy towards the South Caucasus, perceptions of Armenia and the Armenian people at both the political and public levels in Japan, as well as prospects for future cooperation.
Below is the full interview as published by Orbeli Center.
– Your Excellency, how do you assess the current state of Armenia–Japan relations, considering recent high-level exchanges, including the visits to Japan by the Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, the Vice President of the National Assembly, and former Armenian Presidents, as well as the 2018 visit of Japan’s Foreign Minister to Armenia? What impact have these engagements had on strengthening bilateral relations?
– Japan–Armenia relations are currently at a developing stage. Japan appreciates Armenia’s efforts to strengthen democracy and transparency. We understand and support Armenia’s direction and sincerely wish to assist both the Government of Armenia and its people.
Most importantly, our two countries share fundamental values such as democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. This shared commitment is particularly significant at a time when certain authoritarian states are disregarding international norms and laws. In this context, solidarity among like-minded nations—such as Japan and Armenia—is essential.
Japan is firmly committed to deepening our bilateral partnership, and high-level mutual visits play a key role in strengthening ties. For instance, just last week, the Vice Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly paid a visit to Japan, where he attended the Osaka Expo and held meetings with senior Japanese officials. You mentioned the Secretary of the National Security Council’s visit to Japan—I think that was in September last year. Anyway, he met several key persons, including his counterpart Secretary General, Japan’s National Security Secretariat. It was a very successful visit, marked by a series of important meetings. This kind of dialogue is essential for mutual understanding.
We anticipate a highest-level official visit from Armenia to Japan during this year's Osaka Expo, which will be held from April to October.
– How important are relations with Armenia in Japan’s South Caucasus policy? What opportunities and challenges does Japan see in the region, and what strategic interests shape its engagement there?
– First, let me briefly explain how Japan generally perceives three South Caucasus countries. I believe this background can help clarify my comments.
Geopolitically, Armenia is surrounded by three major powers: Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Japan understands that these countries have a very complex historical background. In this context, we regard Armenia’s decision to become an independent republic after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991—as well as its efforts to decrease reliance on Russia for security—as realistic and understandable.
In 2018, the Armenian people initiated what is known as the Velvet Revolution. Since then, the new government has been working toward becoming a more democratic and transparent state. Following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts in 2020 and 2023, Armenia has also been trying to diversify its security and seek new partnerships. That is our basic understanding of the situation.
We also recognize that Armenia is currently at a historic turning point, while also facing numerous serious challenges.
In this context, Japan, like many Western countries, is extending its support to Armenia—especially the refugees displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. For example, in 2023, as a first phase of humanitarian assistance, Japan provided 1 million US dollars each to UNHCR and ICRC to meet the basic needs of refugees, such as shelter and food.
Now, as a second phase, Japan is working with UNDP on a joint project worth approximately 3 million US dollars. This initiative aims to strengthen basic social infrastructure for both refugees and host communities.
– How would you evaluate the current state of economic relations between Armenia and Japan? Could you highlight some of the key areas of economic cooperation?
– I must first point out that the significant physical distance between Armenia and Japan poses certain limitations to economic relations between our two countries. Geographically, Japan is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and its main trading partners are China, the United States, Australia, South Korea and ASEAN countries, which account 65% of the total, while EU countries account only 10% combined.
That being said, I would like to emphasize that Japan supports the Armenian Prime Minister’s initiative, the Crossroads of Peace. From Japan’s perspective, one of Armenia’s key geopolitical advantages is its strategic location at the crossroads between Asia and Europe.
This is particularly relevant now, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led Japan to impose several economic sanctions. As a result, we are no longer able to use Russian territory for certain transport routes. Similarly, security risks near the Suez Canal and the Red Sea have further affected traditional shipping routes.
This context makes the Central Corridor, or East–West Corridor, increasingly important. For example, just a few months ago, Toyota parts were transported from Japan using transit routes across China, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, ultimately reaching the new Toyota factory in Turkey.
If the border between Armenia and Turkey is opened, I believe Armenia will have the potential to strengthen its economic ties not only with Turkey, but also with the EU and even Japan․
– Given the rapid growth of Armenia’s IT and innovation ecosystem, do you see potential for deeper collaboration between the Armenian and Japanese tech industries?
– You asked about key areas of current cooperation—yes, IT could definitely be one of them. In this field, distance is not a big issue, right?
Actually, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has just started a project to connect IT companies in Armenia and Japan.
In the first stage, they organized an online seminar to introduce Japanese IT companies. I understand that JICA also sent some experts to Armenia to explain the IT industry in Japan and to give seminars to Armenian IT companies.
In the final stage, the goal of the project is to achieve real business matching between IT companies from Armenia and Japan.
– Mr. Ambassador, Armenia and Japan share cultural, educational, and historical ties which, though not extensive, are profound and valuable. When exploring the history of Armenian–Japanese interactions, one comes across the names of prominent Armenian figures such as Aram Khachaturian, Gohar Gasparyan, and Silva Kaputikyan. These connections have contributed to the deepening of mutual understanding between our peoples.
– Yes, yes—The Masquerade! I really like Aram Khachaturian’s Masquerade.
You know, in 2009, the famous Japanese skater Asada Mao won first prize at the Grand Prix final, performing to Khachaturian’s Masquerade.
– What do you think—what more can be done to bring the people of Armenia and Japan even closer together? Cultural and educational ties are clearly growing, with wonderful initiatives like the TUMO Center in Gunma and Japanese language and cultural programs in Armenia. Are there any plans to further expand or build on these efforts?
– Every year, the Embassy promotes Japanese culture in Armenia through film festivals, traveling exhibitions, and cultural programs. This year, we plan to hold a Manga & Hokusai Exhibition in September, a Japanese Film Festival from October to November, and an Origami Exhibition in November. In the past, we organized a music concert featuring traditional Japanese and Armenian instruments. Our Embassy is also working to develop exchanges through social media. We post news related to Japanese culture on Facebook almost every day and have gained followers both at home and abroad.
Regarding education: there are various opportunities for Armenians to study in Japan. The Embassy conducts the Embassy-Recommended Government Scholarship Examination every year.
The Japanese MFA provides the Armenian government with opportunities to train its diplomats and civil servants in Japanese language.
At present, Japanese language programs are offered at the Slavonic University and Bryusov State University, while Japanese culture can be studied at Yerevan State University. There has also been a long-standing exchange between our two countries in the area of cultural heritage protection.
And yes, I’ll make every effort to further expand these and many other initiatives.
– As we look to the next decade, what do you envision as the main directions or strategic goals for Armenia–Japan relations?
– As I mentioned earlier, I would like to reiterate that Armenia and Japan share common values. Solidarity among like-minded countries is becoming increasingly important today. In this context, Japan is truly committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Armenia.
The Japanese government is currently enhancing its support for Armenia. Just last week, I attended two grassroots-level ceremonies. One marked the establishment of a new IT school in Marmashen village, and the other was the opening of an agricultural training center.
Additionally, yesterday I took part in the opening ceremony of a new firefighter base in the Kotayk region, with the presence of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, and the governor of Kotayk.
The day before that, I attended the opening ceremonies of three medical facilities in the Ararat region, implemented within the framework of a joint project with the UNDP.
– Your Excellency, you assumed your diplomatic mission in Armenia in 2023. What are your impressions of our country and people?
– Yes. My friends and colleagues—both Armenian and Japanese—especially those who know each other’s countries well, often say that our two nations share many similarities.
That’s a key point. For example, both our countries have very unique cultures, traditions, and languages—quite different from those of neighboring countries.
Also, I think Armenian and Japanese people are very generous, friendly, and polite. Our cities and streets are clean and very safe. Don’t you agree with me?
People often say that Japanese people love Mount Fuji, just like Armenian people love Mount Ararat.
Another important similarity is that both Japan and Armenia are not rich in natural resources, but we are rich in talented human resources. These kinds of similarities—and the sympathy that grows from them—create a strong base for our friendly relationship.
So, I am really enjoying my work as Japan’s Ambassador to Armenia. And as I said, I will do my best to help more Japanese people learn about Armenia—and at the same time, help Armenian people learn more about Japan.
– What message would you like to convey to the Armenian people?
– I truly wish for the Armenian people to become more familiar with Japan and to better understand the policies of the Japanese government.
–Your Excellency, thank you for this important interview.
