YEREVAN. – Relations between Japan and Armenia started earlier than the establishment of their diplomatic relations, stated Japanese Ambassador Eiji Taguchi, at a press conference on Monday.

He recalled that 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of Armenia-Japan diplomatic relations, but added that their active relations are older than their diplomatic ties.

“Our relations have been developing since 1988, when Japan had sent rescuers to Armenia for the first time in history, after the devastating earthquake in Spitak [town].”

As per the diplomat, however, the development of solely economic relations is not enough for good relations between countries. “There are also other domains that we would like to develop,” he stressed.

Ambassador Taguchi noted that the assistance which the Japanese government has provided to Armenia over the years makes up close to US$450 million, and owing to this funding, numerous projects have been implemented in the country.