Cherishing a Long-Standing Friendship

The Ambassador of Japan to Hungary, Hikariko Ono presented her credentials to the Hungarian President in Budapest at the end of March this year. Regarding her first impressions, she tells Diplomacy&Trade that as she begins her tenure in this country, she is deeply humbled to be serving “in this distinguished European nation, renowned for its long-standing friendship with Japan and rich cultural heritage. The city of Budapest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, captivates me daily with its unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty. Hungary is notable for its profound cultural and artistic foundation, which has nurtured renowned musicians such as Ferec Liszt, Béla Bartók or Zoltán Kodály.” She also finds fascinating, as another significant aspect, the country's diverse culinary landscape, featuring world-renowned delicacies like Tokaj wine and Goulash soup. “During my stay in Budapest, I have come to appreciate the integral role that music and arts play in the daily lives of the locals. The vibrant café culture and the rich history of gastronomy are cherished aspects of Hungarian society, which I am excited to explore further.”

Building on a long-standing friendship
When assuming duties in a new country, ambassadors are full of plans of what they would like to address and pursue during their tenure. “As Ambassador of Japan to Hungary, I am committed to building on the long-standing friendship between our nations, a relationship that dates back over 150 years. Japan's support for Hungary's reforms after the regime change some three and half decades ago and the early establishment of Japanese businesses in Hungary have been significant factors in our economic cooperation. During my tenure, I will strive to strengthen economic ties between our countries,” Ambassador Ono highlights.
Furthermore, she is to foster people-to-people and cultural exchanges across various fields to deepen the bonds of friendship between Japan and Hungary. To achieve this, she says she will utilize social media platforms effectively, making the Embassy's content engaging and accessible to the Hungarian public.
“For instance, I recently shared my experiences shopping at the renowned market hall Nagyvásárcsarnok and participating in a half marathon through our Facebook and Instagram accounts. By making the Embassy more approachable and relatable, I hope to promote greater understanding and mutual respect between our nations,” she adds.

High-level visits
Ambassador Ono points out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1869, Japan and Hungary have maintained a strong partnership, cooperating in various fields such as trade, business, science, culture and sports. The year 2019 was particularly significant, marking the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between Japan and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, with numerous high-profile visits and commemorative events. “This memorable year was marked by high-level visits such as that of Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, and then President of Hungary János Áder, who attended the enthronement ceremony of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito in the same year. Most recently, on May 21, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó visited Japan and held meetings with the Japanese Foreign Minister, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism,” she notes.

Promoting mutual understanding
Japan and Hungary are geographically distant and their economic and security situations also differ. “Therefore, we may have different views on certain issues. However, I believe it is crucial to explain each other's positions and promote mutual understanding including such high-level exchanges. This is the essence of diplomacy,” she says.
On the occasion that Hungary will hold the EU Presidency in the second half of 2024, she asserts that she is committed to working with the Hungarian government to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
“I also enthusiastically welcome Hungary's participation in Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai and the opening of a new consulate in Osaka this year, which will further deepen our partnership.”

Strengthening bilateral economic relations
The presence of Japanese investors in Hungary is a key contributor to the country’s economy. Suzuki, for instance, has been affectionately branded as “our car” in Hungary. As for where she sees the most room for further improvement in economic relations, Ambassador Ono says she is honored to acknowledge Japan's long-standing economic partnership with Hungary. To date, over 180 Japanese companies have established operations in Hungary, generating more than 30,000 jobs. This diverse range of companies, including those in the automotive, food, and IT sectors, she says, have recognized Hungary's favorable investment environment and the diligence of its people.
She stresses that “the Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Hungarian government and business community, is dedicated to fostering an environment that supports the continued growth of Japanese companies in Hungary. In addition, we aim to enhance the presence of Hungarian companies in Japan by promoting direct investments in Japan. This will not only strengthen bilateral economic ties but also contribute to the development of both economies.”
Furthermore, interest in Japanese food and culture is growing in Hungary and thus, the Embassy intends to actively promote lesser-known Japanese food products in this market. “Additionally, as Sake gains popularity globally, we hope that many Hungarians will have the opportunity to enjoy Sake in the near future. We are confident that bilateral economic relations will be further strengthened through both industrial products and high-quality Japanese food products,” she notes.

Investors’ interests and concerns
“We are aware that Japanese companies continue to be highly interested in investing in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan region, and we would like to support Japanese companies in deepening their understanding of Hungary so that they can include this country as a potential destination for their investment,” the Ambassador points out.
She also believes that it is important to maintain close communication with the Hungarian authorities so that companies can respond to any changes in the regulations. “For example, we have heard that some Japanese companies are having a hard time renewing visas of expatriates due to the changes in the immigration law that came into effect from this year. We would like to keep consulting with the Hungarian government to ensure that Japanese companies can continue their business successfully in Hungary. We recognize that securing labor force in Hungary is another major issue. In recent years, large-scale investment projects in the manufacturing industry have been underway and I understand that there has been some discussion regarding the need for foreign workers. In this regard, we would like to pay attention not only to future labor-intensive FDI but also to capital-intensive FDI in Hungary.”

Helping the victim of aggression
Japan has offered financial assistance to help Ukrainian refugees in Hungary. Speaking of the details of this support initiative, the Ambassador accentuates that the Russian aggression against Ukraine poses a significant challenge to the international order as it undermines the rule of law and endangers the prosperity of all nations. In response, Japan has provided emergency grant assistance through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organizations since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis. In Hungary, the Japanese government, through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has been actively supporting the provision of basic necessities such as health and medical care, water and sanitation, and evacuation assistance to displaced individuals.
Additionally, Japan has supported the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Hungary, which provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations displaced from Ukraine, including housing, food, childcare and other essential services. Japan continues to collaborate with international partners to provide assistance to Ukraine, ensuring that the humanitarian needs of those affected by the crisis are addressed effectively, she stresses.

Promoting cultural relations
The Japanese Embassy in Budapest is involved in organizing several cultural events. This is because, as Ambassador Ono puts it, cultural exchange is a vital aspect of the Japan-Hungary relationship. In recent years, a diverse range of Japanese culture has gained popularity in Hungary, from traditional practices like Ikebana (flower arrangement), Tea Ceremony, Haiku (Japanese poems) and Martial Arts to modern trends such as Manga, Anime, Japanese cuisine and Sake. “The Japan Foundation, a leading institution dedicated to international cultural exchange, has maintained an office in Budapest since 1991, organizing numerous projects that foster active cultural exchanges between the two countries. For instance, a major online film festival was held for the entire Hungarian population in June.
Upcoming events include outdoor film screenings on Margaret Island in August, Japanese dance performances in October and Rakugo storytelling performances. Those interested can find further information on the websites/SNS accounts of the Embassy and Japan Foundation.”
The House of Music, located in the City Park of the Hungarian capital, was designed by Japanese architect Sousuke Fujimoto and opened in 2022. “It symbolizes the close relationship between our nations and will serve as a platform for many Japanese artists. The Embassy also supports talented Japanese students studying at the Liszt Academy and the Hungarian Dance University as well as Japanese musicians and dancers pursuing their careers in Hungary. By encouraging and supporting these artists, I aim to promote cultural exchanges and further develop bilateral relations,” she adds.

Looking forward to exploring Hungary
Geographically, Japan and Hungary are situated quite far, some 9,000 kilometers, from each other. As to how it feels, on a personal level, to live so far from her home in such a distinctly different culture, the Ambassador explains that “as a diplomat, living in a foreign country can be both challenging and rewarding. I find it particularly valuable to experience the world from a different cultural perspective, which fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of international relations. It is a great pleasure to contribute to promoting cooperation between Japan and Hungary.”
On a personal level, she says she has been pleasantly surprised by Hungary's rich cultural heritage, including its thriving hot spring culture, which is quite similar to her homeland. “I look forward to exploring and enjoying these hot springs during my tenure, which will be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience,” Ambassador Hikariko Ono concludes.

MYAKU-MYAKU Welcomes You to Osaka Expo
With its identity unknown, MYAKU-MYAKU is a mysterious creature born from the unification of cells (the red part that divides and increases) and water (the blue part, the ‘clean water’, which can be transformed to flow).
As another symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the official character – held in the hand by Ambassador Ono – aims to be loved and familiar all over the world as it is utilized to publicize and foster the momentum of the Expo.
It seems to be looking for itself to figure out who it wants to be, transforming itself into various shapes.
MYAKU-MYAKU dreams that everyone knows about it even before the Expo’s opening and that it will meet many people at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.