During the week of 19-23 May 2026, Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, paid an official visit to Japan, preceded by a visit to the Republic of Korea.

In Tokyo, he was received with high state honors by the Prime Minister of Japan, Ms. Sanae Takaichi.

The bilateral summit between Prime Ministers Rama and Takaichi, a significant event of key importance that reflects the current excellent level of bilateral relations, confirmed the common will and mutual determination to further strengthen the partnership between Albania and Japan, including in sectors of strategic importance such as the economy, technology, energy, defense and tourism.

Parliamentary diplomacy constitutes an important pillar that significantly and positively influences the all-round development of cooperation between Albania and Japan. In this context, Prime Minister Rama held a fruitful meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Eisuke Mori, at his official residence.

Prime Minister Rama was welcomed with ovations at the Japanese Parliament by members of the Japan-Albania Parliamentary Friendship League. During the meeting, the Prime Minister awarded Mr. Minoru Kiuchi, Minister of Growth Strategy of Japan and Chairman of the Albania-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League, the “Grand Star of the Benemerenti Medal of the Prime Minister of Albania”, with the motivation: “For the dynamism, experience and impressive intergovernmental and parliamentary commitment with which he has led, for many years, the deepening of multifaceted cooperation between Japan and Albania, fully deserving the public gratitude of the Government and Albanian society”.