Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research
Bern, 07/21/2021 – Federal President Guy Parmelin is traveling to Japan from July 22nd to 25th. He will meet with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The program also includes a hybrid event to announce the establishment of a new Swiss consulate in Osaka from Tokyo. On Friday, July 23rd, the Federal President will take part in the opening of the Olympic Games. A reception by Emperor Naruhito is planned in advance of the opening. A meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach is planned for Saturday.
Japan is a priority country within the framework of Switzerland’s foreign policy strategy. In the high-level discussions, the close relations between the two countries on trade and research issues as well as global issues such as combating the pandemic are on the agenda.
Despite the geographical distance, the two economies have long been closely linked. The mutual investments are significant and some Swiss companies have been present in Japan for over a hundred years. Switzerland has had a free trade agreement with its second most important trading partner in Asia since 2009. Japan is also a priority country for Switzerland’s bilateral research cooperation.
The consulate in Osaka is a further expansion of Swissnex, the Swiss network for education, research and innovation. Swissnex will thus have another main location. The start at the new location in the dynamic Kansai region, where the world exhibition OSAKA 2025 with Swiss participation will take place in four years, is planned for the first half of 2022.
Around 110 Swiss athletes will take part in the Olympic Games in Japan. Due to the corona, the public is allowed to attend the opening ceremony to a very limited extent. Heads of state and government as well as ministers responsible for sport will be represented.
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