Kosovo Finds Asian Ally in Land of Rising Sun

Japan has since announced that its ambassador-designate to Kosovo in 2019 will be its former ambassador to Mozambique from 2014-17, Akira Mizutani. Based in Vienna, he serves also as Ambassador to Austria. Mizutani has served in Japan's foreign ministry for decades, in embassies such as Turkey, Germany and Pakistan.

Now, Kosovars and Japanese are preparing for the next step in their relations, hoping that the opening of an embassy in Pristina will enhance Japan's engagement with the young state.

"It is a good promotion for Kosovo," said Erica Chubachi, from Sendai in Japan, who has opened an oriental therapy business in Pristina. "Lots of Japanese still think Kosovo is dangerous. A Japanese embassy in Kosovo will help the Japanese rethink and feel safe to travel here."

To commemorate the closer bond between Kosovo and Japan, numerous events in the past months have helped Kosovars learn more about Japan and its culture.

Shinzo Abe and Hashim Thaci. Photo: President of Kosovo's website

In November, universities in Pristina, such as RIT Kosovo and UBT (University for Business and Technology) hosted Yuichiro Morishita, a Japanese peace activist, to teach about Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two cities that suffered from atomic bomb strikes in World War II. The event was part of a larger programme, known as "Japan Week", arranged by Japan's Foreign Ministry.

"Kosovo's youth can make a big contribution to world peace, I believe," said Morishita, recalling his meetings with about 5,000 young people at which they discussed peace. "I hope that with the opening of the embassy, the Japanese people will have more opportunities to know about Kosovo," he added.

Outgoing Ambassador Kiyoshu Koinuma kicked off the week with a welcome...