By Maryam Levina

Armenian News-NEWS.am presents an interview of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia, H.E. Mr. Eiji Taguchi.

Can we speak about changes in the level of relations with the opening of embassy embassies in Tokyo and Yerevan?

The opening of the embassy is the biggest news and event from the standpoint of diplomatic relations. Five years ago, in 2010, an Embassy of Armenian Embassy opened in Japan, and this year we opened an Embassy of Japan here. This is great news for us and for you. I am sure that the level of relations in different various areas is improving. The citizens of Armenia have been receiving visas in Moscow so far, and it was very inconvenient. But soon we will start to issue visas in Yerevan, and I hope that more people will be able to go travel to Japan.

Which areas of the Armenian economy may be interesting to the Japanese investors?

There are several areas. The government Government of Japan has been providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Armenian side, namely equipment and financial assistance in the form of grants. Cooperation in the field of energy is developing, the Japanese side has provided assistance in the construction of power stations in Yerevan. Besides, We we cooperate in the field of Earthquakes Risks Reductionimproving protection against earthquakes.

I know this is not enough. During a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, he also expressed the hope that economic relations will would enter a new stage, particularly in trade and investment fields,so we have to develop trade and industrial relations between our two countries. But, to speak frankly, there are some difficulties in this these directions. Due to the fact that Japan is far away from Armenia, it is difficult to export fresh fruit or vegetables but at the same time it is possible to export processedfinished goods: wine, brandy, cheese, dried fruit etc. Unfortunately, Only only Armenian brandy is known in Japan. Armenia has very good wines and fruits, and so my task is to promote the possibilities of the Armenian side.

Another area is tourism. The Japanese, who visited Armenia, said that Armenia is a good and very beautiful country, people are very kind and friendly, and they really like it. I even know several young Japanese people who traveled the world, but finally decided to stay here and even got married.

How much is the volume of trade turnover?

According to Japan’s statistical data, in 2013 trade turnover volume between Armenia and Japan made around $15 million. Armenia is importing Japanese equipment, appliances and cars, of course. We are importing tobacco, chemical goods. Unfortunately, the figures are not that high, but I think the chances to increase trade turnover volume will increase grow with the opening of the embassyEmbassy.

Are there companies with joint capital?

I do not have the that information. There is only one Armenian company having links with Japan. It is ″JTI Armenia″ CJSC Grand Tobacco.

“Made in Japan” means to guarantee high quality. How do you think Japan managed to achieve this, and can other countries learn how to do it?

In Japan, we have a very strict quality control. I am not an expert in this area, but as far as I know, high demands were prompted by the situation in which Japan found itself after the World War II. The Japanese people decided to become more economically developed, and it was necessary to produce good and competetive products in order to export them to such great markets as the the American market. Japanese companies have focused on quality of products, and we have thought up a good system of production, especially in the automotive industry.

Will Armenia's membership to the Eurasian Economic Union impact the development of Armenia-Japan relations?

I think it is too early to judge whether it is good or bad for Japan. Your country entered the Union only in at the beginning of this year, so it is not possible to judge whether it is good or bad for Japan. The structure of the Union has not been fully decided yet.

Is there data on the number of Armenian citizens visiting Japan since the embassy Embassy has been opened?

I have only the statistics of the last year. About 300 Armenians visited Japan. It is not a big figure, but compared to 190 people in 2009, the number of tourists visiting Japan is gradually increasing. I hope in the near future this number will be 500 and 1,000.

Is there any information about the number of Japanese tourists?

Frankly speakingTo be honest, we have two resources of statistics. One is provided by the Armenian Foreign Ministry and it shows that around 2,200 Japanese tourists visited Armenia in 2013 and around 2,100 last year. Another statistics is provided by the UN World Tourism Organization. According to it, more than 10,000 Japanese visit Armenia every year. I think this is quite a good number.

Do you have information about the number of Japanese residing in Armenia?

Japanese community in Armenia is very small. May be 15 people, including the staff of the embassyEmbassy. But On the other hand, I know that around 50 Armenians live in Japan.

Did you manage to see the sights in Armenia? What are your impressions about the country?

I came to Yerevan on June 1. I had a very good impression of Armenia. First of all people are very kind and friendly, and also I think they are honest. I also visited many historical places. In particular, I visited the northern part, Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries. I heard the song by Komitas “Tsitsernak” ( Swallow) and I was surprised that it the melody was very similar to a Japanese songones. I sent a link to my friend, an actress, and she was so much impressed that she said she will would come to Yerevan and will play perform a dance through this song here.

Do you like Armenian cuisine?

I like the cuisine. In particular, I love the fish, ishkhan (Sevan trout) and kufta. In Japan we make kufta from fish it is called “さつまあげ（Satsumaage)”. When I tasted kufta, I had an impression that taste is like Japanese dish. Before coming to Yerevan, I did not know that you have such a good wine in Armenia. I am deeply impressed by its taste.

Do you want to add something?

Since your independence in 1991 the relationship between Armenia and Japan has been very nice. Even before the independence we had good relations. The evidence is assistance provided by Japanese government Government during the Spitak earthquake in 1988. The government Government three times dispatched rescue team from Japan. In addition to that we provided machinery and medical equipment assistance. So, When when I visited Gyumri in June, the Mayor told me that many people remember Japan’s rescue work in that region. In 2011 we had a very big earthquake and tsunami in the eastern part of Japan. I know that on this occasion President Sargsyan attended memorial ceremony in the church dedicated to the victims of tsunami. During his official visit in 2012, the President visited the devastated city of Sendai and encouraged the affected people. The Japanese people remember that fact, and we are very grateful to President Sargsyan and the Armenian people. When I visited Spitak, I saw a khachkar dedicated to the earthquake victims and another khachkar was dedicated to the victims of Japanese earthquake. I would like to thank you all Armenians for this.