Diplomatic and Consular relations

The Principality of Monaco and Japan officially established diplomatic relations by signing a joint communiqué on 14 December 2006.

On 17 July 2007, H.E. Mr Yutaka IIMURA, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Principality of Monaco, submitted his Credentials to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, becoming the first Ambassador representing his country in the Principality.

His successors were:

• H.E. Mr Yasuo SAITO, who submitted his Credentials to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince on 17 July 2009.
• H.E. Mr Ichiro KOMATSU, who submitted his Credentials to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince on 21 February 2012.
• H.E. Mr Yoichi SUZUKI, who submitted his Credentials to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince on 13 January 2014.
• H.E. Mr Masato KITERA, who submitted his Credentials to H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince on 12 October 2016.

Reciprocally, H.E. Mr. Henri Fissore was appointed by a Sovereign Ordinance of 17 September 2007, becoming the first Ambassador of Monaco to Japan.

The current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mr Didier GAMERDINGER succeeded to H.E. Mr Mr Patrick MEDECIN. He submitted his Credentials to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in July 2022.

Consular Relations between the Principality and Japan have existed since 16 July 1973, the date on which Mr Yaichi SAIGO, first Honorary Consul General of Monaco in Tokyo, was appointed. 

On 13 May 1993, Mr Shinroku MOROHASHI was appointed Honorary Consul of Monaco in Tokyo.

He was replaced by Mr Ken KOBAYASHI, appointed on 3 June 2013.

Reciprocally, Mr Edmond PASTOR, first Honorary Consul of Japan in Monaco, was appointed on 9 May 1994.

Mr PASTOR was elevated to the rank of Honorary Consul General and authorized to perform his new duties by Sovereign Ordinance of 14 October 1999.

Official visits and trips

Trips to Japan by H.S.H. the Prince

From 3 to 15 April 1981, visit by H.S.H. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace to Kobe.

Visit by H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Albert to Japan, on 12 November 1990.

H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Albert travelled to the Imperial Palace of Seiden to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Visit by H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Albert to Japan, on 4 and 5 February 1998.

At the invitation of the Japanese Government, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Albert undertook an official visit to Japan.
During this visit, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Albert was received at the Imperial Palace by Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress.

Visit by H.S.H. Sovereign Prince Albert II to Japan, on 23 and 24 April 2007.

During this trip, H.S.H. Prince Albert II met Emperor Akihito of Japan and inaugurated the exhibition devoted to Princess Grace. 

Visit by H.S.H. Sovereign Prince Albert II to Nagoya, in Japan, accompanied by Miss Charlene Wittstock, from 26 October to 2 November 2010.

Participation in the Summit on Biodiversity.  They were received by the Emperor and the Empress at a dinner given in their honour.

Visits to the Principality

From 12 to 14 July 2010: 

Visit to the Principality by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi, accompanied by a large delegation (15 people) on the occasion of the inauguration of the summer exhibition at the Grimaldi Forum, "Tokyo–Kyoto: From the Samurai to Mangas".

During this visit, Their Imperial Highnesses had an audience with H.S.H. Sovereign Prince, followed by a Lunch at the Prince's Palace.

28 June 2009:

Visit by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, President of Honour of Birdlife International:
During this day, Her Imperial Highness visited the Oceanographic Museum and the Japanese Garden, and met a delegation from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

This visit made it possible to establish cooperation with the Prince Albert II Foundation, with the signature of two agreements relating to the activities of Birdlife International:

• A framework partnership on their common aims 
• A convention on a project concerning measures to preserve the Mediterranean Bald Ibis from extinction

The visit by Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado ended with a private dinner given in Her honour by Mr. Edmond Pasteur, Honorary Consul General of Japan in the Principality, which was attended by H.E. Mr. Henri Fissore, Ambassador of Monaco to Japan.