134 years ago, half a century after its independence, Peru was the first country in Latin America establishing diplomatic relations with Japan. Its beginning could not be more promising: “There will be permanent Peace and Friendship between the Republic of Peru and His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, his Heirs and Successors, and among their citizens and subjects”, states Article 1 of the Treaty on Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation signed in Tokyo in 1873. Since then, valuable friendship and cooperation between the governments and peoples of Japan and Peru have been increasing.
The spirit by which this relation began, opened up the possibility between 1890 and 1950 for many Japanese citizens to choose Peru as their new homeland. In 1890, on the Sakura Maru vessel, arrived the first immigrant group. As time went by, they became 30,000 and nowadays around 100,000 Peruvian of Japanese descent are members of this community. This valuable cultural and human contribution has enriched the Peruvian nation in all its spheres.
For instance, as heir of a millenary Andean civilization, Peru has captivated Japanese researchers and archaeologists, who have discovered important historical sites, letting us know more and rethink about many aspects of our history. In 1960, archaeologist Seichi Izumi, discovered the 4,800-year-old temple of Kotosh, Prof. Yoshio Onuki is been doing important research in Kuntur Wasi, Cajamarca and other places; Prof. Izumi Shimada introduced Sican culture to the world, and Yoshitaro Amano founded an extraordinary museum, which houses marvelous pre-Columbian textiles, especially those of Chancay culture, to mention just a few.
Many other types of research have been performed by Japanese scholars on very diverse topics such as Andean anthropology, economy, music, flora, handicrafts, and on the special characteristics of native Peruvian food products such as cat’s crawl, yacón, maca and camu camu, just to mention some.
Each year, tens of thousands of Japanese visitors travel to know the many tourist attractions in Peru, showing an especial interest on our historical and cultural heritage. Machu Picchu, recently elected as one of the seven new wonders of the world, is considered a cultural icon by the Japanese. At this time, two extraordinary cultural exhibitions are being presented in many cities in Japan.
It is not a surprise that being the first country receiving Japanese inmigrants in Latin America, Peru had also been the first country receiving Japanese investment for a silver deposit. Having included very valuable contributions from the Japanese culture and tradition into the Peruvian society, Peruvian citizens identify Japan as a referent of friendship and understanding. Since the 1980s, Japan constitutes an attraction pole and in these days, around 70,000 Peruvian people contribute with their work and effort to the economy of Japan and to strengthen these important ties that are renewed generation after generation.
Nowadays, the bilateral relations find themselves at an optimum level of understanding based on common inspiring values such as democracy, free trade, protection of human rights and the state of law. This has been reinforced with the recent official visits of the Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador José Antonio García Belaúnde and the Vice Minister, Ambassador Gonzalo Gutiérrez. The official visit of President Alan Garcia in March 2008, was fundamental to set in a new level the vast and large agenda of common interests in areas such as investment, commerce, tourism, migration, culture and international politics.
Facts on the bilateral relation:
- Forty years ago, in 1967, Their Imperial Majesties then Crown Prince and Princess, visited Peru. As a symbol of friendship, they planted two pine trees that are now a beautiful landmark of the Peruvian-Japanese Cultural Center in Lima. Japan takes the sixth place in the Peruvian exportation countries list and the eighth in the import list. Peru is the first receptor of Japanese cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- In 2006, a historical record on bilateral trade was registered reaching a total amount of US$1,705,366.299. This figure represents an increase of 43% of the bilateral trade in comparison to 2005, 28% of the Peruvian exports and 47% of the Japanese.
- Peru mineral exports represent 6% of the Japanese demand of copper and 21% of zinc.
- In 2006, Peru has welcomed 36,000 Japanese tourists. Machu Picchu is considered as a favourite “world heritage” site to be visited by Japanese citizens.
- Peru has expressed its willingness to negotiate an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan at the earliest possible occasion.
- In September 2007, Peru assumed APEC Forum’s Presidency, the most important mechanism on political dialogue and cooperation in the Asian-Pacific region. On November 22nd, 2008, APEC Leaders’ Summit will take place in Lima.
- Peruvian-Japanese Friendship Day is celebrated by both countries on April 03rd.
