Japan

Weekly Briefing: Bilateral Diplomacy in Vienna

The Find out more about this week's developments. Diplomacy is back from the summer break in Vienna. The bilateral relations in Vienna produced some meetings, demonstrating that diplomacy is always present in Vienna. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

September 15, 2022

Japanese Embassy Celebrates the Anniversary of the City Twinning Between Tokyo and Vienna

During a recent ceremony, the 25th anniversary of the twinning between the 22nd district of Vienna (Donaustadt) and the Tokyo district of Arakawa was celebrated.

September 12, 2022

UNIDO and Japan Cooperation for Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in Africa

The Eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), which will be held on 27 and 28 August, 2022, in Tunis, is approaching. A series of TICAD8 official side events will be held online from 23 to 26 August by the Vienna-based United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

August 23, 2022

Weekly Briefing: New Economic Developments

The Find out more about this week's developments. The war in Ukraine is also making itself increasingly felt in the Austrian economy. In Vienna, there are new developments in the day-to-day business of diplomacy. Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria.

August 18, 2022

Japanese Embassy in Vienna Invites to the Japanese Summer Festival

This summer, the Japanese Embassy in Vienna and the Japanese Society in Austria will be holding their annual Japanese Summer Festival. At the Japanese International School in Vienna, the festivities will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. on 27 August.

August 15, 2022

Hiroshima Memorial Day: Austria Advocates Nuclear Dismantlement

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has once again called on the major international powers to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons. The occasion was the anniversary of the nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

August 5, 2022

Japanese-OSCE Cooperation Celebrates 30 Years

An OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group discussion was held on Friday in Vienna to commemorate the 30th anniversary of OSCE-Japan cooperation. In addition, a reception was held a day prior at the Ambassador's residence to mark the "30th Anniversary of Cooperation between Japan and the OSCE", attended by some 180 guests, including Austrian government officials and numerous diplomats from various countries.

July 24, 2022

Japanese Ambassador Presents Honorary Awards to Two Austrians

For over 50 years, the Japanese town of Hanamaki and the Austrian town of Berndorf have maintained a harmonious town twinning relationship. Two of the most important people behind this project have received the "Japan Foreign Minister's Award" from the Ambassador of Japan, Akira Mizutani.

July 21, 2022

Austria Supports Joint Statement for Ukraine's Case Against Russia Before the International Court of Justice

The European Union, Austria, and over 40 other nations have issued a statement supporting Ukraine's case before the International Court of Justice against Russia. In order to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law, the Joint Statement has been released.

July 15, 2022

Why Germany and Austria Are More Dependent on China for Strategic Raw Materials than on Russian Gas

China has established global dominance over many of the strategic raw materials needed to be competitive in the economy of the future. Read how Austria, Germany, and others have arguably become more dependent on these materials from China than on Russian gas.

July 5, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Newest Developments in Diplomacy and Vienna

Read about the newest developments in Diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. Further, Austria is strengthening its efforts in aiding Ukraine, international politics and local grievances. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov visited Iran. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 23, 2022

EXPO 2025 in Osaka: Austria Wants to Strengthen Diplomatic Relations

Austria wants to further expand its diplomatic relations at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. To this end, Ursula Plassnik, former Foreign Minister and experienced diplomat, has now been appointed an official representative for EXPO 2025.

June 22, 2022

Three Seas Initiative in Riga for Common Ground against Russia

The Three Seas Initiative met in Riga. Austria and eleven other Central Eastern European countries accepted Ukraine as a member of the Three Seas Initiative at the Presidential Summit in Riga. Austrian President Van der Bellen traveled to Riga and appealed for unity against Russia.

June 20, 2022

OSCE Strengthens Cooperation Between Europe and Asia

At the recent OSCE Asia Conference in Vienna, participants discussed synergies and opportunities for cooperation between the European organization and its Asian partners. Members strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for a return to multilateralism.

June 17, 2022

G7 and OSCE Condemn Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

Since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, many countries are enraged by Putin's actions. The Russian Aggression against Ukraine is ravaging the country. The G7 members strongly condemn Russia's actions. The OSCE expressed its concerns on many issues too.

April 7, 2022

„Murdering Civilians is a War Crime”: NATO Foreign Ministers to Condemn President Putin's War

The foreign ministers of NATO member states condemned the war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine. The meeting discussed more intensive support for Ukraine, as well as the development of the NATO's next Strategic Concept.

April 7, 2022

IAEA to Assess Safety of Japan Dumping Fukushima's Radioactive Cooling Water into Sea

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go to Japan to conduct a review of the safety of the Japanese government's decision to dump radioactive cooling water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. Read about the review and who opposes Japan's decision.

February 7, 2022

Austria Offers to Build Bridges in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In the EU Main Committee in the Austrian Parliament, Chancellor Nehammer offered for Austria to be a "bridge-builder" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Read about the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and Austria's efforts at de-escalation.

December 14, 2021

List of National Days of the Home Countries of All Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria

The Vindobona table below is an updated list of National Days of all nations, which belong to at least one of following categories: Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria; Diplomatic Corps and other representations in Austria; International Organizations in Vienna and Permanent Missions; Missions and Delegations to the OSCE.

February 11, 2015 · Updated: December 11, 2021; 08:12

Japanese Life Sciences Corporation Invests More Than 100 Million Euros in Vienna

The Japanese life sciences company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is investing more than 100 million euros in a new building in Seestadt, Vienna. Read about the massive investment and see a picture of what it is supposed to look like upon completion.

November 18, 2021

Austrian-Japanese Society Hosts the 5th Japanese Film Days in Vienna

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Austrian-Japanese Society (ÖJG) will host the fifth "Japannual" Japanese Film Days in Vienna at the Film Casino in Margareten. With over 20 films included this year, the festival brings a broad overview of current film events in Japan to Vienna. Read more about the festival, some of the movies included this year, and how to get tickets.

October 5, 2021

Casinos Austria International in Japan: Casino Resort Milestone Completed

CAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Casinos Austria AG, has cleared an important hurdle in an elaborate selection process in Japan (Nagasaki Prefecture) for one of the three casino licenses to be awarded.

August 20, 2021

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Memorial: Austria Calls for Disarmament

On the 76th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called for nuclear disarmament. They highlighted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), signed earlier this year, as a good starting point.

August 5, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: These Are the Updated Entry Rules

Due to today's amendment of the Austrian "COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021", we bring you an update on the regulations for entering Austria.

July 20, 2021

Why Austria Is NOT One of the Best Countries in the World

Why a top "Quality of Life" rating is not enough to rank among the "best" countries in the world, and why expat destinations like Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and even Switzerland are uncatchable ahead of Austria.

April 30, 2021

Vienna Stock Exchange: Introduction of 13 Asian Companies

The Vienna Stock Exchange has expanded its offering on the global market by three Chinese and ten Japanese stocks. This addition was made after recently recording a growing demand for Asian shares. Among the new companies offered are the technology group Fujifilm and the pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical.

April 29, 2021

Viennese Theater Productions Premiere in Japan

The Viennese theater productions "Mozart!" and "Elisabeth" premiere in Japan despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The two musicals will be staged numerous times in various cities in Japan and show the interest of the Japanese population in Austrian theater productions.

April 22, 2021

How the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Benefits Austria

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) celebrates its second anniversary by adding 28 protected geographical indications, one of them important for Austria, and facilitating trade in wine and vehicles. The agreement does not only benefit the EU as a whole, but has also immediate impact on Austria's economy.

February 8, 2021

Japan's Abe Thanked Kurz for Cooperation

In a telephone summit, Japan's Prime Minister Abe and Austria's Chancellor Kurz wished each other farewell since Abe will step down as Japan's leading politician due to health issues.

September 10, 2020

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Japan, Croatia, El Salvador, Somalia, Andorra and Nicaragua

Last week Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of Japan, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of El Salvador, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of Nicaragua to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

January 20, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Akira Mizutani

The new Ambassador of Japan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Akira Mizutani presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 20, 2020

Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Presence of Van der Bellen

Guests from around 200 countries attended the ceremony of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer.

October 22, 2019

Celebration of the Imperial Accession to the Throne in Tokyo with Van der Bellen

President Van der Bellen takes part in the ceremony for the accession of the new "Tenno", Emperor Naruhito, to the throne in Tokyo and in the bilateral economic forum "Austria Connect Japan". Other items on the agenda include talks with the Presidents of Georgia and Estonia.

October 21, 2019

Visit of Japanese Princess Kako to Austria

The Japanese Emperor's niece, Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino, visits Austria for several days on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and Japan, and met with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Bierlein for talks.

September 18, 2019

IAEA Memorial Ceremony in Honour of Director General Yukiya Amano

At a memorial service held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna in the presence of Mrs. Yukika Amano, dignitaries, diplomats, IAEA colleagues and member states paid tribute to late Director General Yukiya Amano, who passed away last month. Attendees included Heinz Fischer, Alexander Schallenberg and Satoshi Suzuki, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

August 23, 2019

Vienna Museum on Tour in Japan

In the year of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Japanese Austrian relations, the Vienna Museum (Wien Museum) is moving from Tokyo to Osaka on its tour through Japan with its large-scale exhibition "Vienna on the Path to Modernism".

August 8, 2019

Nuclear Bomb Drops Remembrance Day: Austria Advocates Nuclear Weapon-Free World

The Austrian Federal Government is fully committed to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. "Nuclear weapons should be abolished once and for all."

August 6, 2019

150 Years of Japanese Austrian Relations - The Danube Island Cherry Grove Festival

The Japanese donated 1000 trees for 1000 years of Austrian history and for a meanwhile 150 year friendship. Next week, the Japanese organisations in Vienna, together with the City of Vienna, will celebrate the 18th Cherry Grove Festival on the Danube Island, which is based on the Japanese Hanami Festival (花見).

April 18, 2019

The Elegance and Tradition of a Japanese Samurai Family

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Japanese-Austrian relations, the World Museum Vienna is dedicating an exhibition to the prominent Hosokawa Samura family.

April 11, 2019

New Working Holiday Program Enables Young Argentinians to Experience Living in Austria

Austria includes the largest Spanish-speaking nation, Argentina, in its range of working holiday programmes, so that in the future young people between 18 and 30 years of age from both countries will be able to travel more easily to the other country and gain new valuable experience on the labour market during a given period.

April 5, 2019

150th Anniversary - Japan and Austria Enjoy Excellent Bilateral Ties

Foreign Minister Kneissl has concluded her visit to Japan, which served, among other purposes, as preparation for the visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in autumn on the occasion of 150 years of relations between Japan and Austria. During her stay Kneissl also took part in numerous bilateral meetings and in the international women's conference WAW World Assembly for Women.

March 26, 2019

Austrian State Visit to the Mutually Hostile Countries Japan and South Korea

The two East Asian states, South Korea and Japan, which have been enemies for more than 100 years, are visited by Chancellor Kurz as part of the trip to East Asia. The trip is focusing on the economy, digitisation, education and transport. Meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon are held in Seoul and with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

February 11, 2019

What Does the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Mean for Austria?

The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs has calculated that the savings potential through the elimination of customs duties amounts to around one billion euros across the EU and to around EUR 34 million for Austria. For Austria this means a rather modest growth effect of 0.011 percent of GDP.

February 4, 2019

EU-Japan Agreement Secures EUR 34 Million in Jobs and Prosperity in Austria

The EU's Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan entered into force on 1 February 2019. For Austria, Japan is by far the second most important market in Asia and the third most important overseas trading partner. About 1000 Austrian exporters are active in Japan, 80 companies have local branches. In 2017 the trade volume reached an all-time high of 3.5 billion euros.

February 4, 2019

Kick-off for the 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Austria

This year, Japan and Austria are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This week the kick-off event took place with the Japanese Ambassador in Vienna Kiyoshi Koinuma and the Head of the Section for Foreign Cultural Relations (Sektion V - Kulturelle Auslandsbeziehungen) at the Foreign Ministry, Section Head Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein.

January 25, 2019

Japan and Austria are Preparing for Celebrations of 150 Years of Diplomatic Relations

In 2019, Japan and Austria will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. As part of the preparations for the celebrations, an increasing number of meetings and consultations are currently taking place between the two countries.

November 2, 2018

Japan's Largest Airline ANA Expands Service Between Tokyo and Vienna

The Japanese ANA - All Nippon Airways relies on Vienna as its European hub for business flights to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Poland and is expanding its range of services as a result of the facilitation provided by the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

October 31, 2018

Japan-Austria Relations - Kurz Met Shinzo Abe

During the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met for bilateral talks. The meeting focused on the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria next year, the new tax convention between Japan and Austria, the Japan-European Union (EU) relations and the situation in North Korea.

October 30, 2018

Austrian Airlines - More Women in the Cockpit and Daily Flights to Tokyo

Become one of the few female pilots at Austrian Airlines. A total of 100 fully-trained pilots are currently being sought. As part of its expansion, Lufthansa's subsidiary intends to significantly increase the proportion of women pilots. The airline is also expanding its services to Tokyo, namely six weekly flights from March 2019 and daily flights during the 2019 summer timetable.

October 25, 2018

Austrian Airlines Flies Once Again to Tokyo

As of today, Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines will again be flying directly to the Japanese capital. Due to changed economic fundamentals, the route, which was closed in autumn 2016, appears to be profitable again.

May 15, 2018