Our View – Greece–Japan: From Trade Relations to Strategic Economic Partnership

Greece and Japan are steadily developing a deeper and more strategic economic partnership. Over the past three years, bilateral ties have strengthened significantly, in parallel with the broader EU–Japan relationship, culminating in Japan’s designation as Honored Country at this year’s Thessaloniki International Fair.

The relationship is also gaining greater economic depth. Around 40 Japanese companies, including major players such as NTT, are already present in Greece, while Greek exports to Japan increased by 42% last year and by a further 24.5% so far this year, contributing to a rare Greek trade surplus with Japan.

Looking ahead, the opportunity goes well beyond expanding bilateral trade. Greece and Japan have complementary strengths that can support deeper investment, technology and business partnerships in areas such as renewable energy, advanced industrial technologies, robotics, digital and IT services, and particularly advanced maritime technologies. The latter builds on the longstanding relationship between Greek shipping and Japanese shipyards and industrial suppliers.

Japan is also an important strategic partner for both Greece and the European Union. As a G7 economy and one of the EU’s closest partners in the Indo-Pacific, Japan shares with Europe a strong commitment to democracy, multilateral cooperation and a rules-based international order.

For Greece, this creates an opportunity to deepen its economic engagement with the Indo-Pacific while developing new partnerships in sectors where technology, investment and international business cooperation can generate significant added value.

The next phase of the Greece–Japan relationship should therefore be measured not only by growth in trade, but by the development of long-term investment, technology and strategic business partnerships between the two countries.