Accompaniment and Welcome

President Petr Pavel arrived in Japan on July 22, 2025, on the invitation of the Japanese government. He was accompanied by a high-level Czech business delegation and supported by the Japanese Ambassador to Czechia, H.E. Kansuke NAGAOKA, and the Czech Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Martin Klučar, who had previously fostered Czech–Japanese ties in Tokyo. On the Japanese side, various senior officials played a ceremonial welcoming role at key locations, including at Expo 2025 Osaka, the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and commemorative sites in Hiroshima and Himeji.

Visit Itinerary: Cities & Events

President Petr Pavel’s working trip to Japan, was not initiated at the invitation of the Japanese government but rather as part of the Czech Republic’s proactive diplomatic agenda in the Asia-Pacific region.

During his stay in Tokyo, President Pavel met with Emperor Naruhito, a gesture highlighting the respectful relations between the two countries. In addition, a bilateral meeting had been arranged as part of the bilateral agenda with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, emphasizing the growing strategic cooperation between Prague and Tokyo.

Throughout the visit, the Czech Republic was represented by its Ambassador to Japan, Martin Klučar, who played a key role in coordinating the president’s program. Ambassador Klučar emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and technological cooperation in Czech-Japanese relations.

A significant cultural milestone of the visit took place in Himeji, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between Prague Castle and Himeji Castle, symbolizing the historical and architectural bonds shared by the two nations. This agreement paves the way for future cultural exchanges and joint preservation projects.

Another highlight was the Czech cultural performance at the EXPO venue, which featured a captivating fusion of the ensemble Cirk La Putyka, the Czech Philharmonic, the Czech Radio Children’s Choir, and singer Aiko. The performance received enthusiastic applause from the Japanese audience and represented the dynamic and creative face of contemporary Czech culture.

President Pavel’s working visit to Japan underlined the Czech Republic’s commitment to engaging with key partners in the Indo-Pacific region, not only on political and economic levels but also through cultural diplomacy and institutional partnerships. The visit has laid important groundwork for enhanced cooperation in technology, defense, and the creative industries.