Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Japan were first established in 1927, marking the official beginning of a relationship which has continued to develop and intensify over the decades.

Luxembourg opened its Embassy in Japan in 1987. Initially based in Sanbancho in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, it relocated to its current premises in 2003, with the opening of the Luxembourg House.

The opening of Japan’s Embassy in Luxembourg, which had until then been covered from Belgium, followed in 1996.

At the political level, while different in size and geographically far apart, Luxembourg and Japan value each other as trusted partners sharing common values. Frequent high-level exchanges take place between both countries, first among which visits to Japan by recent Prime Ministers Xavier Bettel in 2015, 2021 and 2022, and Luc Frieden in 2025. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Luxembourg in 2015.

A pillar of the diplomatic relations between both countries is the close and longstanding relationship between the Imperial and Grand Ducal families. Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte were received in Japan as State guests in 1979 and 1999, and welcomed Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in Luxembourg in 1997.

Their son and heir, His Royal Highness Henri of Luxembourg has frequently visited Japan both as Crown Prince and later as Grand Duke, including for a State Visit in 2017 accompanied by his daughter Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra. The close ties between both families are carried on by the current monarchs, with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, then Crown Prince, having travelled to Luxembourg in 2012 to attend the wedding of His Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume, then Crown Prince Guillaume, to Stéphanie de Lannoy.  In his previous capacity as Crown Prince and Head of economic missions, Grand Duke Guillaume has paid frequent visits to Japan over the past two decades, before ascending to the throne on the 3^rd of October 2025.

Luxembourg’s participation at the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai, with a pavilion showcasing Luxembourg’s diversity, spirit of innovation, natural landscapes and commitment to sustainable development to its many visitors, has contributed to a heightened interest in the country.

2027 will mark the 100^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both nations. A highlight of the celebrations will be Luxembourg’s participation at the GREEN×EXPO 2027, to be held in Yokohama, Japan from 19^th March to 26^th September.

The strong relations between the two countries also extend into the economic sphere, particularly in the financial sector. As the 3^rd leading financial centre in the EU, offering a stable environment with excellent infrastructure and expertise, Luxembourg hosts overseas offices of many Japanese financial institutions and banks.

Other Japanese firms operating in the Grand Duchy include names such as FANUC, whose European headquarters have been located in Luxembourg since 1986.

Making use of the country’s business-friendly and future-minded environment, more recent examples include Rakuten, whose European headquarters are located in Luxembourg city, and the Japanese lunar exploration startup ispace, developing and building lunar rovers at its Luxembourg-based European branch.

Global companies from Luxembourg such as SES, the world’s largest communications satellite operator, and Cargolux, Europe’s leading all-cargo airline, have expanded into Japan and are contributing to bilateral economic exchange.