Japan–Syria relations

Formal diplomatic relations between Japan and Syria were established in December 1953.{{cite web |title=Bilateral Relations |url=https://www.sy.emb-japan.go.jp/summary.htm |website=Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716170229/https://www.sy.emb-japan.go.jp/summary.htm |access-date=26 October 2024|archive-date=16 July 2023 |url-status=live}} Since then, Japan has maintained an embassy in Damascus,{{cite web |title=Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic - About Us |url=https://www.sy.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/aboutus.html |website=Embassy of Japan in the Syrian Arab Republic |access-date=26 March 2025}} and Syria has an embassy in Tokyo.{{efn|Also responsible for Syrian interests in South Korea.{{cite web |title=الدول التي لا يوجد فيها تمثيل دبلوماسي |trans-title=Countries where there is no diplomatic representation |url=http://mofaex.gov.sy/ar/pages753/الدول-التي-لا-يوجد-فيها-تمثيل-دبلوماسي |website=Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates |language=ar |access-date=28 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009125633/https://mofaex.gov.sy/ar/pages753/الدول-التي-لا-يوجد-فيها-تمثيل-دبلوماسي |archive-date=9 October 2024 |url-status=live}}}}{{cite web |title=Embassy of Syria in Tokyo |url=http://www.mofaex.gov.sy/tokyo-embassy/index.php |website=Embassy of The Syrian Arab Republic in Tokyo |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Syria |access-date=26 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116113033/https://www.mofaex.gov.sy/tokyo-embassy/index.php |archive-date=16 January 2025 |url-status=live}} Over the decades, Japan has provided economic and technical assistance to Syria, including projects focused on infrastructure, healthcare, and education.{{cite web |title=JICA's Activities in Syria |url=https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/syria/english/activities/01.html |website=Japan International Cooperation Agency |access-date=27 October 2024}}

File:Embassy of Syrian Arab Republic in Tokyo Japan 20190919 135106.jpg

During the 1980s, Japan increased its aid to Syria in the form of loans and grants to support Syrian economic development and agriculture. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Japan continued its development cooperation, investing in water management and healthcare improvements in Syria.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Japan also supported Syria through United Nations programs aimed at addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development.{{cite web |title=Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMAZAKI Kazuyuki, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on “Syria’s Political & Humanitarian Situation” |url=https://www.un.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/yamazaki032124.html#:~:text=Japan%20is%20playing%20its%20part,crisis%20and%20the%202023%20earthquakes |website=Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations |date=31 March 2024 |access-date=27 October 2024}}

The beginning of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 altered the nature of Japan’s involvement in Syria. Japan temporarily closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 due to security concerns and has since redirected its focus toward humanitarian assistance.{{cite web |title=Japan closes its embassy in Syria: Foreign Ministry |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/japan-closes-its-embassy-in-syria-foreign-ministry-16511 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=27 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Japan grants Syria $14.3m but has no plans to reopen embassy |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2304206/amp |website=Arab News |date=11 May 2023 |access-date=27 October 2024}}

Japan has taken an impartial role in Middle Eastern conflicts. Despite Japan’s distance from the region, it has engaged diplomatically with Syria and supported various peace efforts in the Middle East,{{cite web |title=Japan-Middle East Relations |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/middle_e/index.html |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |access-date=27 October 2024}} including the Israel–Syria peace negotiations.{{cite journal |title=Japan's Middle East Policy: Balancing Global and Regional Interests |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26156507 |journal=Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies |volume=11 |issue=2 |year=2017 |pages=45–59 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |jstor=26156507 |access-date=27 October 2024}}

Since the closure of the Japanese embassy in Damascus, Japanese diplomacy in Syria has focused on promoting peace through multilateral channels, including the United Nations and regional peace initiatives. Japan has also imposed sanctions on Syria in alignment with United Nations Security Council resolutions and other international efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.{{cite web |title=Japan Adopts More Financial Sanctions on Syria |url=https://www.panorientnews.com/en/news.php?k=1538 |website=PanOrient News |date=23 December 2011 |access-date=27 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401081743/https://www.panorientnews.com/en/news.php?k=1538 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=live}}

Prior to the Syrian Civil War, Japan and Syria engaged in moderate trade.{{cite journal |title=The Mandatory Power and Japan's Trade Expansion into Syria in the Inter-War Period |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4283058 |journal=Asian Survey |volume=41 |issue=4 |year=2001 |pages=564–581 |publisher=University of California Press |jstor=4283058 |access-date=27 October 2024 |last1=Shimizu |first1=Hiroshi}} Japan exported cars, machinery, electronics, and other manufactured goods to Syria, while Syria’s exports to Japan included raw materials and agricultural products, such as cotton and phosphates.{{cite web |title=مجلس رجال الأعمال السوري الياباني - نبذة عامة |trans-title=Syrian-Japanese Business Council - General Overview |url=http://www.syr-jap.com/index.php?page=home |website=Syrian-Japanese Business Council website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224095849/http://syr-jap.com/index.php?page=home |archive-date=24 February 2015 |access-date=27 October 2024 |url-status=dead}} Japanese companies also showed interest in investing in Syria's oil and gas sector during the 1990s.{{cite web |title=السفير الياباني بدمشق: نتابع باهتمام الإصلاحات الاقتصادية في سوريا |trans-title=Japanese Ambassador to Damascus: We are closely following economic reforms in Syria. |url=http://archive.thawra.sy/_archive.asp?FileName=64500836320050719222815 |website=Al-Thawra |date=20 July 2005 |access-date=27 October 2024}}

The outbreak of the civil war disrupted these economic ties, and Japanese businesses suspended their operations in Syria. Due to the ongoing sanctions and instability, economic relations between Japan and Syria remain limited.{{cite web |title=Why Does Japan Reject Normalization with Assad and Take Firm Stances Against Him? |url=https://www.alestiklal.net/en/article/why-does-japan-reject-normalization-with-assad-and-take-firm-stances-against-him |website=Al-Estiklal |access-date=27 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119181030/https://www.alestiklal.net/en/article/why-does-japan-reject-normalization-with-assad-and-take-firm-stances-against-him |archive-date=19 January 2025 |url-status=live}}

Japan and Syria have promoted cultural exchange programs to strengthen ties between the two countries. Before the Syrian Civil War, cultural events, such as Japanese art exhibitions,{{cite web |title=معرض ياباني في دار البعث |trans-title=Japanese exhibition at Dar Al-Baath |url=http://archive.thawra.sy/_archive.asp?FileName=54410153920051011235535 |website=Al-Thawra |access-date=27 October 2024}} film screenings,{{cite web |title="من دمشق هنا اليابان" فيلماً جماعيّاً لطلّاب اللغة اليابانيّة |trans-title="From Damascus, this is Japan" a group film for Japanese language students |url=https://www.al-binaa.com/archives/article/4950 |website=Al-Binaa |access-date=27 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119181058/https://www.al-binaa.com/archives/article/4950 |archive-date=19 January 2025 |url-status=live}} and educational exchange programs, were regularly held in Damascus and other Syrian cities. The Japanese government has provided scholarships for Syrian students to study in Japan, promoting academic exchange between the two nations.{{cite web |title=التعليم العالي تعلن عن برنامج المنح الدراسية المقدمة من الحكومة اليابانية |trans-title=The Ministry of Higher Education announces the Japanese government scholarship program |url=https://www.sana.sy/?p=2076640 |website=Syrian Arab News Agency |date=24 April 2024 |access-date=27 October 2024}}

Japanese non-governmental organizations, such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), have also organized language training and cultural activities in Syria, aiming to foster mutual understanding.{{cite web |title=JICA's Activities in Syria |url=https://www.jica.go.jp/Resource/syria/english/activities/02.html |website=Japan International Cooperation Agency |access-date=27 October 2024}}

Japan has been one of the significant contributors of humanitarian aid to Syria since the onset of the civil war. Japan provided billions humanitarian assistance to support Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.{{cite web |title=Japan's Foreign Policy that Takes a Panoramic Perspective of the World Map - Chapter Two: Syria |url=https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/2017/html/chapter2/c020602.html |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan |access-date=27 October 2024}} This assistance has been directed through the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and various non-governmental organizations.

File:Japanese humanitarian aid for 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquakes.jpg]]

Japanese aid has focused on providing basic necessities, healthcare, education, and psychological support to affected Syrians, as well as access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.{{cite web |title=Japan contributes US$7 million to bolster education, water, sanitation, and hygiene |url=https://www.unicef.org/syria/press-releases/japan-contributes-us7-million-bolster-education-water-sanitation-and-hygiene |website=UNICEF |date=19 December 2023 |access-date=27 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Japan contributes $2 million to help Syrian children and families cope amid harsh winter |url=https://www.unicef.org/mena/press-releases/japan-contributes-2-million-help-syrian-children-and-families-cope-amid-harsh-winter |website=UNICEF |date=21 January 2022 |access-date=27 October 2024}} Japan has also funded reconstruction efforts in areas that have stabilized, with projects aimed at restoring access to clean water, healthcare facilities,{{cite web |title=WHO restores Syria's Nawa hospital thanks to Government of Japan contribution |url=https://www.emro.who.int/syria/news/who-restores-syrias-nawa-hospital-thanks-to-government-of-japan-contribution.html |website=World Health Organization |access-date=27 October 2024}} and housing.

• Foreign relations of Japan
• Foreign relations of Syria

{{Portal|Asia|Japan|Politics}}

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{{Foreign relations of Japan}}

{{Foreign relations of Syria}}

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Syria

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