Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias held a series of meetings with Japan’s Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Minoru Kiuchi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kentaro Asahi, and Taro Kono, chairman of the Japan-Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group, during a visit to Tokyo.
The talks focused on deepening bilateral ties, strengthening maritime cooperation and international developments affecting the safety of navigation.
At his meeting with Minoru Kiuchi, the two ministers expressed concern over the persistent threats to shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on international maritime trade. They also continued discussions initiated in Thessaloniki in September, on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), on deepening cooperation in port logistics and shipbuilding. Shipbuilding has been included among the 17 strategically important sectors identified by the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Emphasising the shared values underpinning relations between the two countries and their commitment to international law, the two ministers reaffirmed their common determination to strengthen maritime cooperation across the board, both bilaterally and within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), where critical negotiations on the shipping industry’s energy transition are under way.
Kikilias also met with Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kentaro Asahi. The two sides acknowledged the longstanding and deep-rooted maritime ties between Greece and Japan. Japanese shipyards, renowned for their outstanding quality, continue to be a leading choice for Greek shipowners, who rank second in terms of newbuilding orders.
Both sides reaffirmed their mutual interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation in shipping and shipbuilding by promoting reciprocal investment. They also expressed interest in operational cooperation between their coastguards and within the IMO.
Against the backdrop of a challenging geopolitical environment that inevitably affects shipping, the two sides jointly condemned attacks on seafarers and international shipping. Kikilias stressed that these challenges, combined with the continued shortage of alternative marine fuels, make fairer treatment of LNG — the only genuinely viable transitional fuel for shipping, he said — essential.
He also underlined the considerable responsibility involved in addressing this challenge, as the outcome will determine whether global energy prices rise and, consequently, the impact on people’s daily lives and countries’ ability to remain competitive. He therefore stressed the importance of further strengthening existing communication channels between the two sides on these issues.
Kikilias also met with Taro Kono, chairman of the Japan-Greece Parliamentary Friendship Group, who has previously served as Japan’s foreign minister, defence minister and minister for digital transformation.
The discussions covered the political situation in Europe, the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and the war in Ukraine, as well as broader issues of mutual concern, including declining birth rates, protecting minors from online exposure, cooperation in civil protection and, in particular, earthquake preparedness and planning. The two sides also explored opportunities to increase tourist flows between Greece and Japan.
On maritime affairs, they agreed to pursue closer cooperation, building on the longstanding relationship of mutual respect between the two countries and recognising the contribution of the Greek-owned fleet to Japan’s energy supplies.
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