Norway aims to further develop cooperation with Japan

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is on an official visit to Japan, accompanied by a Norwegian business delegation. Mr Stoltenberg will take part in several events involving the Norwegian and Japanese business sectors. His visit to Japan began with an audience with the Emperor and Empress.

“One of the aims of the visit is to further develop Norway’s close cooperation with Japan, for example in the business sector. Japan is an important market for Norwegian export companies, and Norway is a major importer of Japanese goods,” Mr Stoltenberg said.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg will also have political talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. In addition, the programme for Mr Stoltenberg’s stay in Japan includes a visit to the Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, where he will gain insight into how Japan organises its emergency preparedness and response work. Mr Stoltenberg’s planned visit to Japan in March 2011 was postponed due to the powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on March 11. 

Stoltenberg and his wife Ingrid Schulerud during their audience with the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Palace. (Photo: AP)