The return of Japanese business to Bulgaria and the positive relations between the two countries could lead to a new "golden age" in the exchange between Japan and Bulgaria, as a starting point for this could be the upcoming World Expo EXPO 2025 in Osaka. This was what Hisashi Michigami, Ambassador of Japan to Sofia, said at a business breakfast organized by the Japan-Bulgarian Business Association. The diplomat said that he had great hopes for accelerating business cooperation during the World Expo EXPO 2025 in Osaka, in which 158 countries will participate. He shared his memories of the first Bulgarian participation in Expo 1970.

The Ministry of Tourism is sending 60 young people to the World Expo in Osaka for internships, Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh said at the forum.

“Beyond business, this is a meeting of peoples. Beyond this business is what we are trying to build – the feeling of the other and the knowledge of the other,” Borshosh said.

“Good friendships have a history, a present and a future. Japan was one of the countries that systematically helped Bulgaria during the darkest years of the transition when Bulgarian society and the Bulgarian economy were experiencing a number of difficulties. We will never forget this assistance in the field of education, the social sphere, culture, assistance for economic development in relation to a number of key infrastructure sites.” This was what Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev said at the breakfast. Japanese business is returning to Bulgaria, Donchev added.