In celebration of 150 years of bilateral diplomatic relations and 400 years of trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands.

Japan’s long relationship with the Netherlands began over 4 centuries ago when a Dutch ship reached Oita on Kyushu Island in 1600. Several years later, in 1609, Ieyasu Tokugawa -the first Shogun of the Edo Period- issued a trade permit to the Netherlands and trade between our two countries on the island of Dejima, in Nagasaki began. Next year we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of trade relations with the Netherlands, one of the oldest European countries with which our country has such a long lasting relationship.
In 1858, at the end of the Edo Period, the Tokugawa Shogunate concluded a treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands and opened our country to the world. This year is the 150th anniversary of the signing of this treaty and the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with the Netherlands.

Present-day Dutch-Japanese relations have grown considerably since the signing of that treaty and now include trade and culture but also extend to co-operation in international society. Recently the Japanese Self Defense Force worked closely with and were supported by the Dutch military contingent in Samawah, Iraq where successful re-construction operations were carried out. On a more ‘grass roots’ level, a wide range of activities and exchanges continue to take place between individuals, educational institutes and sister cities. Our bilateral relationship has grown tremendously since those first exchanges 400 years ago and the Netherlands is now much more than beautiful countryside, tulips and windmills to the Japanese.

Together with the government of the Netherlands, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has designated 2008 and 2009 ‘Japan-Netherlands Years’. In the coming period we hope to reflect upon the unique bonds of friendship that unite our two countries while at the same time examine the future of our relations. Our aim is to deepen our co-operation by organising a wide range of events in both countries to stimulate bilateral exchanges involving the participation of individuals in both countries. Events in Japan will be organised by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Tokyo and the Embassy of Japan in the Hague will co-ordinate those being held in the Netherlands.

I hope that I can look forward to your active involvement in these ‘Japan Netherlands years’

Masahiko Koumura
Minister for Foreign Affairs

• 日本語版はこちら
• Foreward by Maxime Verhagen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Page Top