Photographs from the visit.

“For Norway, it is important to have close links with Japan – not least because it has the world’s third largest economy. For us it is important to help facilitate further development of our good relations on trade, research and education, but also in other areas. For the Storting, having close links at the parliamentary level is also important,” says the President of the Storting, Olemic Thommessen.

Prime Minister on the programme

The programme includes a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visits to Kyoto and Hiroshima, meetings with Norwegian industry representatives in Japan as well as meetings with the presidents of both houses of the National Diet and other members. The Presidium, or office of the presidency in the Storting, will also take part as Kaffefuglen, a Norwegian coffee shop in Tokyo, opens the store Norwegian Icons on Friday 4 March.

Gender equality is one of the topics to be discussed in the political meetings, along with how best to enhance economic relations between the countries.

Meeting the Emperor

The President of the Storting will also meet Emperor Akihito, the world’s last remaining emperor.

The official visit was planned in response to an invitation from Tadamori Oshima, Speaker of the House of Representatives (lower house). Last year marked 110 years since diplomatic relations between Norway and Japan were established. One purpose of the visit is to cement the countries’ good relations, which have long traditions.

The visit appears likely to be the most high-profile political visit from Norway to Japan this year.

The Storting’s President will be accompanied on the trip to Japan by Second Vice President Kenneth Svendsen, Third Vice President Svein Roald Hansen, Fourth Vice President Ingjerd Schou and Fifth Vice President Line Henriette Hjemdal.

First Vice President Marit Nybakk is not travelling to Japan, so that the Storting will have an Acting President in Norway.