Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato Visits Romania, the Republic of Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic

1. Romania

1. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ilie Bolojan, Prime Minister of Romania, and H.E. Mr. Cătălin Predoiu, former Interim Prime Minister of Romania (June 23)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Prime Minister Bolojan and former Interim Prime Minister Predoiu. The two sides confirmed the strengthening of bilateral economic ties under the framework of the Japan-Romania Strategic Partnership, which was concluded in 2023. Prime Minister Bolojan expressed his high interest in Japanese companies’ technologies, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

2. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Mircea Abrudean, President of the Senate of Romania (June 23)

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Senate President Abrudean and expressed his appreciation for Romania’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, through its pavilion and Senate President Aburdean’s attendance at Romania’s national day event. Senate President Aburdean expressed strong expectations for strengthened bilateral economic cooperation between Japan and Romania, taking the Expo as an opportunity.

3. Meeting with H.E. Ms. Ana Birchall, Presidential Adviser, and other senior government officials (June 23)

In the presence of representatives of the Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Presidential Advisor Birchal, H.E. Mr. Radu Burnete, Presidential Advisor, and H.E. Mr. Dragoș Anastasiu, Honorary Presidential Advisor, and confirmed the strengthening of bilateral economic ties. These senior Romanian government officials expressed their high interest in Japanese companies’ technologies, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

4. Romania–Japan Strategic Dialogues 2025 on Transport, Energy, and Digitalization (June 23)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, the “Romania-Japan Strategic Dialogues 2025 on Transport, Energy, and Digitalization” was held, bringing together approximately 120 government and business representatives from both countries to promote collaboration in these fields. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato delivered a speech and signed joint statements on cooperation in infrastructure development for railways, energy, and digitalization. In the latter half of the dialogues, Japanese companies made presentations alongside Romanian companies and government agencies related to the three fields.

• Joint Statement of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania on transport infrastructure cooperation(PDF:83KB)
• Joint Statement of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and The Ministry of Energy of Romania on Energy Cooperation(PDF:100KB)
• Joint Statement of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and The Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania on Economic Cooperation(PDF:96KB)

2. Republic of Bulgaria

1. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria (June 24)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with President Radev. The two sides confirmed the strengthening of bilateral economic ties under the framework of the “Japan-Bulgaria Strategic Partnership,” which was concluded in May. President Radev expressed his high interest in Japanese companies’ technologies, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

2. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria (June 24)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Minister Stankov and explained outstanding energy transition technologies that Japanese companies hold. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the energy field, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

3. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Lyuben Nanov, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria (June 24)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Deputy Minister Nanov and explained outstanding railway technologies possessed by Japanese companies. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly regarding railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

4. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Peter Dilov, Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Bulgaria (June 25)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Minister Dilov and explained outstanding technologies possessed by Japanese companies. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

5. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Tomislav Donchev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria (June 25)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Donchev and explained outstanding digital technologies possessed by Japanese companies. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the digital field, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

6. Japan-Bulgaria Business Forum (June 25)

The Japan-Bulgaria Business Forum was held, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato delivered a speech there. At the forum, Bulgaria presented the challenges that it faces in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, and participating Japanese companies explained their technologies that can contribute to solving related challenges. Following this, the two sides signed a joint statement on cooperation in infrastructure development for railways, energy, and digitalization.

• Joint Statement of the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of Bulgaria on Economic Cooperation(PDF:92KB)

3. Czech Republic

1. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Martin Frélich, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (June 26)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Deputy Minister Frélich and explained outstanding technologies in the fields of energy and digital possessed by Japanese companies. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the two fields, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

2. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Tomáš Vrbík, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic (June 26)

In the presence of representatives of Japanese companies, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato held a meeting with Deputy Minister Vrbík and explained outstanding railway technologies possessed by Japanese companies. Following this, the two sides exchanged views, looking toward cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in railways, as well as support for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Moreover, they signed a joint statement on cooperation in infrastructure development for railways in the Czech Republic.

• Joint Statement of the Meeting between the representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic(PDF:105KB)

3. Japan–Czech Republic Business Forum (June 26)

The Japan–Czech Republic Business Forum was held, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kato delivered a speech there. At the forum, the Czech Republic presented the challenges that it faces in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy, digital, and railways, and participating Japanese companies made presentations on their technologies that can contribute to solving the challenges. Following this, the two sides signed a joint statement on cooperation in infrastructure development, particularly in the fields of energy and digital.

• Joint Statement of the Meeting between the representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic(PDF:98KB)

Division in Charge

Europe Division, Trade Policy Bureau