150 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Switzerland (my country) and Japan

Bern, 03.02.2014 - The friendship between Switzerland and Japan formed the focal point of the meeting between President Didier Burkhalter, accompanied by his wife, and Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on the first day of his visit to the country. The visit signals the start of celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and the island nation. Relations between the two countries are friendly and fruitful. Japan is Switzerland's second largest economic partner in Asia.

The President of the Swiss Confederation and the Emperor of Japan spoke of the longstanding relations between the two countries, which signed their first Treaty of Amity and Trade on 6 February 1864. That agreement was signed on Switzerland's behalf by Aimé Humbert-Droz, a watchmaker from the canton of Neuchâtel. The Japanese Emperor considers the visit by President Burkhalter, who is also from Neuchâtel, to be a sign for the two countries to inject even more dynamism into their relations...

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