Iceland–Japan relations
{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Iceland-Japan|Iceland|Japan}}
Iceland–Japan relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Iceland and Japan. Both nations are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
History
In 1814, Iceland became a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. In 1867, the Kingdom of Denmark and Japan signed a "Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation". Any and all trade relations between Iceland and Japan was carried out by Denmark. In 1944, Iceland became an independent nation. On 8 December 1956, Iceland and Japan established diplomatic relations.[https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/iceland/data.html Japan-Iceland relations]
In June 1999, Japanese Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi paid an official visit to Iceland. During his visit, Prime Minister Obuchi announced the opening of a Japanese embassy in Reykjavík. In 2002, both nations opened embassies in their respective capitals.[https://www.government.is/news/article/2003/01/14/Icelandic-Chamber-of-Commerce-in-Japan/ Icelandic Chamber of Commerce in Japan] In 2003, the University of Iceland began teaching Japanese as the first university course in Iceland to teach an Asian language and to specialize in Asian culture.[http://icelandreview.com/news/2007/01/30/japan-fever-iceland Japan fever in Iceland] In 2005, Iceland approached Japan on a free-trade accord.[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/09/16/business/iceland-approaches-japan-about-ftas-with-efta/#.Wz13Oy2ZP-Y Iceland approaches Japan about FTAs with EFTA] Each year, both nations obtain negative attention in the fact that they both continue whaling.[https://www.nrdc.org/experts/taryn-kiekow-heimer/iceland-resume-fin-whale-hunt-after-two-year-hiatus Iceland to Resume Hunt of Endangered Fin Whales] In 2016, both nations celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations.[https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000059031.pdf Joint Statement on Strengthening of relations between Iceland and Japan]
High-level visits
Prime Ministerial visits from Iceland to Japan[https://www.mbl.is/greinasafn/grein/130608/ Davíð Oddsson forsætisráðherra á fundi með fréttamönnum í Tókýó í gær Japanar (in Icelandic)]
- Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson (1994, 2003)
- Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson (2005)
Prime Ministerial visits from Japan to Iceland
- Prime Minister Keizō Obuchi (1999)
Agreements
Both nations have signed bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance (2018)[https://www.government.is/news/article/2018/01/16/Signing-of-a-Tax-Convention-between-Iceland-and-Japan/ Signing of a Tax Convention between Iceland and Japan] and an Agreement of a Working holiday visa (2018).[https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_002090.html Japan-Iceland Foreign Ministers’ Meeting]
Trade
In 2015, trade between Iceland and Japan totaled US$222 million. Icelandic exports to Japan include: fish and steel. Japanese exports to Iceland include: automobiles and electronic equipment. Several well known multinational Japanese companies such as Honda, Sony, Toshiba and Toyota (among others) operate in Iceland.
