Bilateral relations exist between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Japan in the political, socio-economic, cultural, and other fields.
Azerbaijan's ambassador to Tokyo is Farid Talibov. Japanese Ambassador to Azerbaijan is Teruyuki Katori.
History
Japan is one of the first countries which recognized the independence of Azerbaijan. On September 7, 1992, the first diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Japan were established. The Japanese Embassy in Azerbaijan has been operating since 21 January 2000. The representation of Azerbaijan in Tokyo arose on October 1, 2002.
From 1992 to 2019 several agreements in the humanitarian, economic, and other fields were signed between the governments of Azerbaijan and Japan. Inter-parliamentary friendship groups were established, and a joint intergovernmental commission is functioning.
High level visits
The first official visit of the President of Azerbaijan (former president Haydar Aliyev) to Japan took place on February 24–28, 1998. During the visit, the parties signed 10 documents:
Agreement of friendship and partnership; Agreement on cooperation in the field of trade and economy; Consultation agreement; A loan agreement on a project for the construction of a combined cycle power plant called “Severnaya”; Protocol on gratuitous humanitarian aid allocated to Azerbaijan by Japan; A loan agreement between the Azerbaijani leadership and the Import-Export Bank (Japan) on financing a project for the restoration of the Erna Ethylene-Polyethylene Plant installation; Agreement between SOCAR (State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic) and Mitsui Oil Exploration Co., Ltd. on the provision of equity participation.
After this official visit, the Parliamentary Association for Friendship between Japan and Azerbaijan was established. The parties signed a statement of friendship and partnership, as well as a statement on cooperation in the field of trade and economy.
In 1998, "Joint Statement on Friendship and Partnership between Japan and the Republic of Azerbaijan" was signed.
Within the framework of the visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Tokyo in March 2006, the parties signed a communique on friendship and cooperation and an agreement on technical cooperation.
During the official meeting of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in September 2018, the Japanese side proposed the Caucasus Initiative program, the essence of which is joint business activities.
Economic relations
In the 1970s, a household air conditioner factory was built in Baku with the financial support of the Japanese government.
In 1997, mutual trade turnover amounted to US$22.3 million.
In 2005, Japan hosted the Expo 2005 exhibition, one of the participants of which was Azerbaijan, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov. Azerbaijan Day was held.
In 2015, the 48th meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held in Baku.
In October 2015, as part of the visit of the Minister of Economic Renewal Affairs of Japan, Mr. Akira Amari to Azerbaijan, a memorandum of understanding was signed on cooperation between Japan and Azerbaijan in the field of medicine.
In 2017, trade with Japan amounted to approximately US$22.08 million.
In 2017, the export mission of Azerbaijan to Japan was organized. It was planned to conclude an agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.
In February 2017, the 9th meeting of the Japan-Azerbaijan Economic Committee was held in the capital city of Baku. The meeting discussed the prospect of developing cooperation in the non-oil sector.
The share of Japan in the project for developing Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli fields is 3.65% (ITOCHU).
In 2018, 30 Japanese companies functioned in Azerbaijan. Japan exports automobiles (mainly ISUZU trucks), machinery, electronic equipment, household items, and so on to Azerbaijan. Agricultural goods (wine, dried fruits), aluminum, and oil are imported by Japan from Azerbaijan.
Cooperation in the oil sector
Since 1995 two leading Japanese companies (ITOCHU and INPEX) have joined the “Contract of the Century”. Cooperation was established between Japan and Azerbaijan in the oil field.