Bridges

Bilateral relations

Established in June 1956, the relationship between Tunisia and Japan marks its 70th anniversary in 2026 — diplomacy, treaties, trade, development aid and a high-level political dialogue that has deepened ever since.

Diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Japan were established in June 1956, a few months after Tunisia's independence. Japan opened its embassy in Tunis in 1969, and a bilateral joint committee has met regularly since 1985. In 2026 the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of their relationship — the same year their investment agreement was agreed in principle.

Diplomatic foundation

Established in June 1956 following independence (March 1956), the relationship is commemorated every 26 June. Japan's embassy in Tunis opened in 1969. The Japan–Tunisia Joint Committee has convened regularly since 1985; its 11th session was held in Tunis in June 2023. The 60th anniversary was marked in 2016 by a message from FM Kishida, and the 70th, on 26 June 2026, by an exchange of letters between FM Motegi and FM Nafti.

Treaties & agreements

  • Visa Exemption Arrangement1956
  • Trading Arrangement1960
  • Exchange of Notes — Japanese volunteers (JOCV)1974
  • Triangular Technical Cooperation Programme (South–South, Africa)1999
  • Technical Cooperation Agreement + JCM Memorandum (TICAD 8)2022
  • Tax convention (negotiations)2019 →
  • Bilateral Investment Agreement (agreed in principle, 2026)2024–26

Trade (2024)

  • Tunisia → Japan¥18.6 bnseafood, textiles
  • Japan → Tunisia¥11.5 bncars, metals, machinery, electronics

Economic cooperation & ODA

  • ¥353.2 bnLoans
  • ¥8.6 bnGrants
  • ¥29.8 bnTechnical cooperation

Cumulative as of 31 March 2023.

Japan's Country Assistance Policy for Tunisia (revised 2019) prioritises economic infrastructure, human-resource development and public-security capacity, alongside reducing regional disparities. Several major projects — Medjerda flood control, power plants, seawater desalination — were requested by President Marzouki of PM Abe at TICAD V (2013), and subsequently delivered.

Recent grant aid

  • 2019 — grant aid to strengthen security (Exchange of Notes at TICAD 7).
  • 2025 — Japanese medical equipment (endoscopes) for 23 hospitals, with cardiology training open to Africa.
  • 2020 — COVID-19 assistance.

Bilateral timeline

  1. 2013Summit: PM Abe × President Marzouki (TICAD V, Yokohama)
  2. 2014Japanese election-observer mission for the parliamentary election
  3. 201660th anniversary; 1st Security & Counter-Terrorism Dialogue (Tunis)
  4. 2018FM Kono visits; investment and tax negotiations launched
  5. 2019TICAD 7 — security grant, Quality-Infrastructure MOC, JETRO–FIPA MOU
  6. 2020FM Motegi received by President Saied
  7. 2022TICAD 8 in Tunis — Technical Cooperation Agreement + JCM; ¥12 bn social-protection loan
  8. 202311th Joint Committee (Tunis); FM meeting Hayashi × Ammar
  9. 2024Agreement to launch investment-treaty negotiations
  10. 2025Medical equipment (23 hospitals); 4th Security Dialogue; Summit PM Ishiba × Head of Government Zaafrani Zenzri (TICAD 9)
  11. 202670th anniversary; investment agreement agreed in principle; Motegi × Nafti exchange of letters

High-level visits

Selected since 2003 — Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers and JICA Presidents.

Japan → Tunisia

Heads of State & Government

  • Fmr PM Yoshiro Mori2004

Foreign Ministers

  • Yoriko Kawaguchi2003
  • Seiji Maehara2010
  • Taro Kono2018
  • Toshimitsu Motegi2020
  • Yoshimasa Hayashi2022

JICA Presidents

  • Sadako Ogata2009 · 2012

Tunisia → Japan

Heads of State & Government

  • PM Mohamed Ghannouchi2003 · 2005 · 2008
  • President Moncef Marzouki2013
  • Head of Gov. Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri2025

Foreign Ministers

  • Habib Ben Yahia2004
  • Rafik Abdessalem2012
  • Khemaies Jhinaoui2017 · 2019
  • Othman Jerandi2022

Explore further

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MoFA), Japan–Tunisia Relations (Basic Data, January 2026). Figures as published by MoFA.