Hungary has opened a new consulate in Japan

Hungary has opened a consulate in Osaka, one of Japan’s most vital economic hubs, a move expected to significantly strengthen economic, political, and people-to-people ties between the two nations, announced Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on Thursday at the inauguration.

First Central European country to establish a consulate

At the opening ceremony, Szijjártó emphasized that dividing the world into blocks is harmful, while connectivity and global cooperation based on mutual respect are invaluable—though it may sound like an oversimplification. He highlighted Hungary and Japan’s long-standing partnership founded on mutual respect and called the Osaka World Expo a perfect opportunity to deepen these bonds. Marking a milestone, Hungary becomes the first Central European country to establish a consulate in this dynamic city.

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Szijjártó pointed out that the Kansai region’s economic output rivals countries like Switzerland and Türkiye, with many of the 181 Japanese companies operating in Hungary headquartered there. Notably, Osaka is home to Japan’s only university with a Hungarian studies department and an institute renowned for applying the globally acclaimed Hungarian developmental method, the Pető Method.

Leading the ongoing technological revolution

He remarked that the new consulate will be instrumental in boosting ties across business, politics, and cultural exchange:

• more than 30,000 Hungarians currently work for Japanese firms in Hungary,
• and Hungary has strategic partnership agreements with seven major Japanese companies.

Finally, Szijjártó stressed Hungary’s ambition to lead the ongoing technological revolution, with Japan as a key ally. He announced a commitment to intensify cooperation in three critical fields—peacebuilding, space exploration, and nuclear industry—underscoring the need for personal presence despite advances in artificial intelligence. “No matter how widespread AI becomes, human connections and face-to-face interactions will always remain irreplaceable,” he concluded.

• Hungary and Japan strengthen business, trade and tech ties in Tokyo

Szijjártó highlighted need for nuclear energy

Szijjártó said nuclear energy was the only “cheap, reliable, safe and sustainable” source of energy that could meet the global increase in demand for electricity, addressing a business seminar in Osaka on Thursday.

In a statement released by his ministry, Szijjártó said Hungary and Japan would cooperate on the further development of nuclear energy. He added that a decision had been taken to step up cooperation in other crucial areas, such as space technology, too.