Japanese Prime Minister: We are truly impressed by your efforts—this marks the first time a dialogue with a foreign leader has taken place in Japanese.

Starting this autumn, visa requirements between Montenegro and Japan will be eliminated, following an agreement made during a meeting between Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba today in Tokyo.

During his official working visit to Japan, Prime Minister Spajić received the highest honors. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between their nations.

Both leaders concurred that this visit signifies the start of a new chapter in Montenegro–Japan relations—one destined to shape a strong and lasting partnership.

This historic occurrence of conversing with a foreign official in Japanese is unprecedented. I have read your research and am genuinely impressed by your perspectives—despite being penned over a decade ago. Montenegro now has a true ally and advocate for your vision for advancing Montenegrin society here in Japan, stated Prime Minister Ishiba.

The discussion also emphasized boosting economic ties. Prime Minister Spajić highlighted Montenegro’s investment opportunities, especially in energy, green technologies, infrastructure, tourism, environmental sustainability, and high tech.

We have been actively preparing for substantial infrastructure projects over the last year and a half. The upcoming years are crucial for Montenegro’s growth, and I am optimistic they will witness significant reforms and infrastructure development that will strengthen our economy and enhance our citizens’ quality of life, remarked Prime Minister Spajić.

In this vein, both parties recognized the immense potential for collaboration with Japan, further illustrated by Japan’s keen interest in Montenegro at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The decision to abolish visa requirements, effective this autumn, is viewed as a pivotal step toward closer relations.

Another significant subject of discussion was the establishment of the Montenegrin Embassy in Tokyo. The two prime ministers agreed to expedite efforts toward this aim, with concrete developments anticipated by year-end.

They also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in education, science and innovation, along with disaster risk management.

Security concerns were addressed as well, with both sides reiterating the importance of the increasing cooperation between Japan and NATO. In this context, both countries reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine, expressing hope that intervention from American and European allies could lead to a temporary ceasefire and lasting peace.

To commemorate this occasion, Prime Minister Ishiba hosted a working lunch in honor of Prime Minister Spajić. Among the attendees were Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Minister of Finance Novica Vuković, and Director of the Investment Agency of Montenegro Snežana Đurović.