Japan opened its embassy in Tirana for the first time in Albania.

This act will contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. While Albania opened its diplomatic mission in Japan in 2004, the Japanese Embassy in Italy had handled matters related to Albania until recently. Already all Albanians interested in consular affairs with Japan, will not be forced to go for treated to the Japanese embassy in Italy, as it has been until now, which covered Albania. In April 2017, the Government of Japan appointed Makoto Ito as Ambassador of Japan to our country. Ambassador Ito presented the Credentials to the President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani, on June 6, 2017, taking officially on the function and becoming the first resident Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Albania. Ambassador Ito has served, among others, as General Consul in Denver (USA), Deputy Ambassador to Greece and Romania, and Senior Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. “Ambassador Ito will now act as Japan’s Resident Representative to Albania, actively contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries,” the Japanese embassy said in a press release. During the ceremony, Ambassador Ito spoke with albanian president Mr. Bujar Nishani about the high importance that Japan places on diplomatic, trade and economic relations with Albania. While Albania opened its diplomatic mission in Japan in 2004, the Japanese Embassy in Italy had handled matters related to Albania until recently. The opening of the Japanese embassy was a top topic in discussions between the two countries’ foreign ministers in 2015. Back then, Tirana said it would welcome Japan’s decision to open an embassy in Tirana in an effort to draw greater investment from the world’s third-largest economy. Tirana is convinced that Japan’s diplomatic mission would boost bilateral trade and cooperation in tackling common challenges, the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Japan has been a major donor to Albania through its difficult transition from communism to a free-market economy. Tokyo has given millions, primarily in the rehabilitation of infrastructure and healthcare facilities. Projects have included a municipal waste-water treatment facility for Tirana and its surroundings. There about 15 important bilateral agreements. In trade between the two countries albanian exports to Japan mark ¥ 153 million and imports from Japan: ¥ 252 million. While Japan's economic cooperation mark Aid-Loans ¥ 18,000,000,000, grant: ¥ 4,000,000,000 and technical cooperation: ¥ 1,600,000,000. Albania has 2 representations in Japan. These representations include an embassy in Tokyo and a consulate in Fukuoka. The Japanese embassy is one of 79 foreign representations in Albania, and one of 66 foreign representations in Tirana. While the Japanese Embassy in Tirana is one of 297 Japanese diplomatic and consular representations abroad. The history of bilateral diplomatic relations is in fact the earliest. In April 1922 with the recognition of the new independent albanian state from Japan. June 20, 1930, the signing of the First Commercial Treaty. 1935 Opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of Albania in Osaka Albania and Japan resumed established diplomatic relations in March 1981 December 2005 opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania, Tokyo. April 2009: Representation Ambassador March 2016: Japanese Government Approves Decision to Open Embassy in Tirana (Official Opening January 2017)