HAS President E. Sylvester Vizi co-presided over the session of the Japan Hungary Cooperation Forum on 23 November.

Summary of the Discussions and Achievementsof the Japan-Hungary Cooperation Forum 23 November, 2007

The 1st meeting (November 2005, Budapest)
- The members had exchanged their views on the measures to promote Japan - Hungary cooperation in the fields of (a) Economic and Social models; (b) R&D and Science and Technology; (c) Diplomacy and Security policy; (d) Tourism and (e) Culture.
- The members exchanged their views on the possible economic and social models which are suitable for the solution of problems existing in each country today.
- The members indicated that a better use of Hungarian intellectual resources and a possible cooperation in the field of R&D, Information Technology or Venture business shall be sought. Using an example of internship for a Hungarian engineer by a Japanese company was introduced at the meeting and the members confirmed the importance of scholarship programs for Hungarian students. The cooperation between Hungarian academic and research institutes and Japanese companies is also considered to be important.
- The Japanese side explained the situation of diplomatic and security environment in the Asia-Pacific region, and both sides discussed this topic.
- The members recognized a regular direct flight between the two countries as being important factor for promoting cooperation in various fields, such as tourism.
- The members recognized the importance of deepening cultural understanding between the two countries.
- The members confirmed the current situation of Japanese language education in Hungary and recognized its importance and challenges.

The 2nd meeting (November 2006, Tokyo)
- The members selected several feasible ideas of cooperation among those proposed at the 1st meeting, and discussed which ideas should be implemented in future.
- Regarding scholarship and internship programs, one of the follow-up subjects of the 1st meeting, the scholarship programs for two Hungarian universities, namely Budapest University of Technology and the University of Pannonia (formerly the University of Veszprem), established by Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd were introduced as one of the achievements of this Forum. The Japanese side encouraged Hungarian business people to make use of the EU committee’s Executive Training Program (ETP) so as to receive given training in Japanese enterprises.
- The members are of the same opinion that tourism consists one of the basic tool to promote mutual understanding of the peoples of both countries. Followings were referred to as possible measures; the operation of direct charter flights between the two countries; the promotion of strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector between Japan and V4 countries by both public and private actors; and Japan’s participation in the 29th International Tourism Exhibition held in Hungary.
- The members confirmed to implement a "special assistance program for Japanese language education in Hungary", which consists of; (a) assistance for the teachers who teach Japanese in Hungary; (b) making a textbook for helping Hungarians to learn Japanese; (c) enriching the variety of educational materials.
- As for cultural exchange activities, an idea was proposed to set up a virtual Hungarian cultural center through the cooperation of Japanese universities conducting Hungarian studies so that people who are interested in Hungary can easily obtain necessary information on Hungary.
- Some expressed their expectation on conducting memorial projects which represent good relationships between the two countries in 2009, the year of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary as well as the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations of the two countries.

The 3rd meeting (November 2007, Budapest)
-  Confirming the development and challenges of ideas of cooperation which were selected at the 2nd meeting, the members produced the recommendations on the future Japan-Hungary relationship.
- The members welcomed the success of the 3 Hungarian young businessmen attending the EU committee’s 2007 Executive Training Programme in Japan.
- The members got explanation that JETRO will organize a business meeting between Hungarian parts-suppliers and Japanese buyers and hold a seminar for doing business with Japanese companies by 2009 March in Budapest to encourage match making between Hungarian and Japanese companies in many fields. It was also explained that JETRO will consider to give the companies of both countries opportunities for virtual Business Matchmaking by using web-site of JETRO. Furthermore, it was reported that Nippon Keidanren had been requested to send a mission to Budapest at a time appropriate in view of the schedule of the above business meeting and cooperate in business match making especially in IT related industries and that Nippon Keidanren had commented that they would proceed with making a concrete plan for such mission.
-  It was explained that the assistance program for Hungarian teachers, which is the initial program of the "special assistance program for Japanese language education in Hungary" established by this Forum, had already been under implementation.
- The establishment of Hungary Culture Center in Tokyo, in cooperation with the Slavic research Center of Hokkaido University, the Hungarian Embassy in Japan, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd, Josai University and Japan-Hungary Friendship Association, was introduced as one of the concrete outcomes of the 2nd meeting.
- The members expressed their expectation that memorial projects representing good relations between the two countries should be conducted in 2009, the year of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Hungary as well as the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations of the two countries. The Elisabeth Bridge Light-up Program was mentioned as a good example. The members expressed their willingness to maintain their interest in initiatives for the successful commemoration of the year 2009 even after the end of the Forum.
- The members expressed their hope that a memorial TV program for the year 2009 would be produced by NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai) and MTV (Hungarian Television). They got explanation that NHK has been interested in society and history of Hungary and that NHK would consider making a TV program for the year 2009 featuring the 20th anniversary of "European Picnic."
- After the submission of the recommendations of this Forum to both Prime Ministers and thus ended its activities of three years as the Forum, the members agreed to maintain their contact and follow as much as possible the implementation of the recommendations, such as "special assistance program for Japanese language education in Hungary", JETRO’s projects and TV program by NHK and MTV.