At the invitation of the International Judo Federation, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office paid a three-day visit to Japan.
In Japan Mr Gulyás met with Vice Governor of Tokyo Mitsuchika Tarao, State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Takao Makino, Member of the House of Representatives in the Diet Seishiro Eto, Chairman of the Japan-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship League, and Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation which is relocating its head office from Lausanne to Budapest this year. The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, in the company of leaders of the Federation, was hosted for lunch by Princess Tomohito. Mr Gulyás highlighted that this year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Hungarian-Japanese diplomatic relations, on the occasion of which Princess Kako will pay a visit to Hungary, and according to plans, before the end of this year the head of state and the prime minister will pay a visit to Japan.
Economic cooperation is the most important area of Japanese-Hungarian relations as Japan is the most significant Asian investor in our country; more than 160 Japanese companies contribute to the growth of the Hungarian economy with their activities. Mr Gulyás said the Japanese government is closely following European politics. The good cooperation among the Visegrád Four adds to the importance of the Central European region, and boosts the interest of Japanese investors in the region. Mr Gulyás also highlighted that, based on the preparations currently under way, Japan will be an excellent host of the Olympic Games to be held next summer as most of the facilities are already ready for the events. The Minister attended and also presented medals at the Monday evening finals of the World Judo Championships.