I had the honor of representing the Greek Government at the funeral of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo a few days ago. Apart from its formal and ceremonial nature, this visit was a clear political message from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who will also visit Japan, that Greece is seeking a significant improvement in our countries’ political and economic relations.
Greece and Japan, despite the geographical distance, have many common points of reference. The long history and culture, the special ties with the sea, the “geographical fate” of living next to large and difficult neighbours. But also our commitment to International Law and the peaceful resolution of differences.
It is no coincidence, therefore, that all the Japanese ministers and parliamentarians I briefed on Turkey’s provocative conduct in the Eastern Mediterranean expressed support for the Greek positions. The peaceful Japan does not tolerate war threats such as casus belli, nor does it tolerate historical revisionism of the Treaty of Lausanne – to which it is a signatory itself-, aiming at serving neo-Ottoman ambitions. As an island state it recognizes the Exclusive Economic Zone of the islands, contrary to what Turkey claims in violation of the Law of the Sea. Also, as a country facing similar challenges in the Indo-Pacific, it condemns the overturning of the existing security system, which is being attempted in Ukraine and in our neighbourhood. The successive visits of the Foreign Minister, mine and soon the Prime Minister’s, are the appropriate framework to confirm our common understanding on these issues and to strengthen our strategic cooperation.
Of course, we are seeking a multi-level cooperation, so that excellent political relations are also reflected in economic indicators. As Japan is the world’s 3rd economic power, Greece has every interest in expanding cooperation with it. Conversely, Greece has a unique geostrategic position and comparative advantages that make it an economic, energy, and transit hub capable of attracting investment. DTT DATA, the sixth largest IT services company worldwide, already opened an office in Greece this year. Telecommunications, logistics, financial services, energy, digital transformation offer significant growth prospects, in addition to shipping, which has traditionally recorded high transaction volumes (a Greek-owned ship has been built every 15 days in Japanese shipyards since 1952).
But what matters is the future. How we can build upon even more. In Japan, I met a vibrant Greek business community as well as Japanese politicians and entrepreneurs keen to strengthen our ties. For the first time in twenty years, a delegation from the Japan Business Federation will visit Greece in October. Therefore, it is crucial to seize the momentum and effectively promote bilateral relations. The resumption of the direct air link between Athens and Tokyo, which is both a prerequisite and a multiplier of bilateral trade, will also play an important role. The willingness of the Mitsotakis government to move in this direction is strong.
Coming back from Tokyo, I am convinced that we need allies and strategic partners, such as Japan. Japan of 1922, which in the fire of Smyrna saved thousands of Greek refugees by transporting them to the Greek islands thanks to the ship “Tokei Maru” and its valiant captain. And Japan of 2022, which can provide unique opportunities for growth in the Greek economy, in an era of global economic and energy uncertainty.