Tokyo. Bulgarian Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov and Japan International Cooperation Agency Vice President Kenzo Oshima have signed an agreement about a donation from the Japanese government for a project drafted by Drama Music Theater of Veliko Tarnovo ‘Konstantin Kisimov,’ FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
The sum will be spent on new equipment worth some JPY 1 million, or EUR 460,000.
Minister Rashidov thanked Japan for assisting Bulgarian culture.
During the Bulgarian delegation’s visit to Japan, Minister Rashidov had meetings with many Japanese cultural institutions and agreed holding joint exhibitions and concerts in 2012.
“Thanks to your help up to now assistance has been granted to the National Theater in Sofia, National Library, Bulgarian National Television. The Thracian tomb close to the village of Alexandrovo, which was unveiled by President Georgi Parvanov and Prince Akishino of Japan, was restored with Japanese funds,” reminded Rashidov.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a governmental institution, which has been supporting the economic reforms in Bulgaria through free assistance and cooperation since 1991, said JICA Vice President Kenzo Oshima.

Tokyo. Sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov – Kotooshu has attended a reception in the Bulgarian embassy in Tokyo held at the end of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s visit to Japan.
Each defeat is a disappointment, said Mahlyanov when asked about his performance in the January sumo tournament in Tokyo where he ranks fifth.
Kotooshu added he had not yet recovered from his collarbone injury. He said all contenders in his division were strong and hard to defeat.
The other Bulgarian sumo wrestler in Japan Daniel Ivanov also came to the reception.
At the January sumo tournament Prime Minister Boyko Borisov awarded the winner the cup of the Bulgarian government.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Economy Minister Traycho Traykov, Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov, Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov and sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov – Kotooshu have attended a traditional Japanese ritual of breaking a barrel of sake.
The ritual symbolizes the upcoming successes, said Bulgarian ambassador to Tokyo Lyubomir Todorov.
The three barrels of sake are earmarked for the 400-year-old traditional Japanese ceremony called Kagami biraki, which translates as Opening the Mirror.
The reception in the Bulgarian embassy in Tokyo was organized with the cooperation of Bulgaria’s honorary consul to Fukuoka, Shinichi Munemasa. Besides the two Bulgarian sumo wrestlers and the Bulgarian delegation, the reception was attended also by Japan’s former ambassador to Bulgaria Tsuneharu Takeda, Japan’s new ambassador to Bulgaria Makoto Ito, EU ambassadors, as well as a former Japanese prime minister.
The Bulgarian embassy in Tokyo managed to organize the visit of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Bulgarian delegation almost without spending any money from its budget.
“I would like to thank everyone who joined the organization,” said Bulgarian ambassador Lyubomir Todorov.
Besides the ceremony of breaking a barrel of sake, PM Borisov attended also a ritual of cutting a 108-kg and 2-meter tuna into pieces for preparing sushi.
Denka KATSARSKA

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Economy Minister Traycho Traykov, Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov, Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov and sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov – Kotooshu have attended a traditional Japanese ritual of breaking a barrel of sake, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
The ritual symbolizes the upcoming successes, said Bulgarian ambassador to Tokyo Lyubomir Todorov.
The three barrels of sake are earmarked for the 400-year-old traditional Japanese ceremony called Kagami biraki, which translates as Opening the Mirror.

Tokyo. Sumo wrestler Kaloyan Mahlyanov – Kotooshu has attended a reception in the Bulgarian embassy in Tokyo held at the end of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s visit to Japan, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
Each defeat is a disappointment, said Mahlyanov when asked about his performance in the January sumo tournament in Tokyo where he ranks fifth.
Kotooshu added he had not yet recovered from his collarbone injury. He said all contenders in his division were strong and hard to defeat.
The other Bulgarian sumo wrestler in Japan Daniel Ivanov also came to the reception.
At the January sumo tournament Prime Minister Boyko Borisov awarded the winner the cup of the Bulgarian government.

Tokyo. Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Michihiko Kano has been breakfasting on Bulgarian yoghurt for 20 years, said Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Miroslav Naydenov, who had a meeting with Minister Kano on Tuesday, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent to Japan Denka Katsarska reported.
Minister Naydenov has invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Bulgaria “to see the place where yoghurt originates from.”
Besides yoghurt, there are other products that have a place on the Japanese market, said Naydenov.
Bulgaria has received a questionnaire about its dairy products and it will be filled in, just as it was with Japan’s questionnaire about Bulgaria’s poultry meat.
“It was a very positive meeting. If traders manage to gain a place on this expensive market, it would be a very great success for the Bulgarian poultry industry. A month and a half ago we visited the Persian Gulf where the Arab countries showed the same interest,” said Miroslav Naydenov.

Tokyo. Japan wants to invest in Bulgaria in the next few years very much, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told the Bulgarian journalists in Tokyo after wrapping up his working visit to Japan, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
A Japanese prime minister has not paid a visit to Bulgaria so far and I hope that he will return the visit as early as this year, added Borisov, who extended an invitation for a visit to his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan on Tuesday.
Japan wants to invest in Bulgaria in the next few years very much – in energy business, agriculture, food industry, sports, culture. The two countries have very good traditions and we have to materialize them in the next years, said Borisov.
Asked what support Bulgaria could give Japan within the European Commission and the talks about the economic integration agreement, the Bulgarian prime minister said:
“Without overestimating our abilities, as a state with a right to vote within the Council and the debates Bulgaria could help develop the EU-Japan ties as a strategic partnership.”

Tokyo. A full smoking ban should be introduced in Bulgaria in 2013, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told the Bulgarian journalists in Tokyo where his official visit has come to an end, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent to Japan Denka Katsarska reported.
He added that he had held meetings with hospitality managers, who had complained they had made large investments in ventilation systems and a full smoking ban imposed now would send them into bankruptcy. That’s why the prime minister suggests introducing the full ban in 2013.

Tokyo. We will propose a full ban on smoking in enclosed public places to be introduced by 2013. That is what Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told Bulgarian journalists in Tokyo, cited by FOCUS News Agency messenger Denka Katsarska.
Until then, the restaurant branch, which made investments in air conditioning systems, will have the chance to regain the money. Borisov said that the smoking ban will be adopted after debates in the parliament.

Tokyo. Bulgaria condemns terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport in Moscow. That is what Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told Bulgarian journalists in Tokyo, special messenger of FOCUS News Agency Tokyo, Denka Katsarska announced.
"I am shocked by what is being done. The terror is murderous. In a word - grief for everyone. It is unacceptable in the twenty-first century to solve any conflict that way’, Borisov said.
Unfortunately there is one Bulgarian among the victims, who is an Austrian citizen, Borisov said.
We sent a letter of condolence to the leadership of the Russian Federation.
We condemn it [the bomb attack], Borisov said.
"These terrorist acts do not skip any country - whether it is Russia, Sweden, whether it is America or Britain. It is just unpredictable where it may happen”, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Foods Dr. Miroslav Naidenov met with Japan's Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Michihiko Kano in Japan. The Bulgarian Agriculture Minister is a part of the Bulgarian governmental delegation to Japan led by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Japan is interested in import of poultry meat from Bulgaria, Minister Naidenov stated. The Asian state is again affected by the chicken flu which causes serious lack of poultry meat on the market. It is expected in the next few days Japan to take a decision to allow Bulgarian poultry products on the market, Minister Naidenov said.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov yesterday sent a letter of condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, expressing the condolences of the Bulgarian government on the occasion of the tragedy that occurred at Domodedovo Airport, government information service told FOCUS News Agency the letter reads:

"Dear Mr. Putin,
All Bulgarians, our government and I personally are deeply shocked by the tragedy that befell Russia and Russian people. We mourn with you and the relatives of victims of the cruel, barbaric act of terror.
At this moment of a trial, Bulgaria and our government are giving hand for moral and political support. We unequivocally condemn the vandalism and anti-human terrorism, because killing of innocent people can not be justified by any political or religious purposes.
I ask you, on behalf of the Bulgarian people, to convey our sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims - we truly experience your pain and suffering. We are ready to help all victims and affected people about their recovery and everything necessary.
I personally join to your grief”.

Tokyo. The Bulgarian Speaker of Parliament Tsetska Tsacheva will visit Japan in April, leading a parliamentary delegation, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov stated during a meeting with Japanese Speaker of the House of Representatives Takahiro Yokomichi, a FOCUS News Agency reporter informs.

Tokyo. Demonstrations of how to prepare home-made Bulgarian yoghurt took place for two days in Tokai Hands in Tokyo, Maria Yotova, a PhD student in Osaka University, told FOCUS News Agency.
The idea for the demonstrations belongs to Nakagaki Engineering President, who imports ferments for home-made Bulgarian yoghurt from Bulgaria, and Tokai Hands, which shows interest in Bulgarian ferments.
She added that the trend of preparing home-made yoghurt was growing common in Japan.
After a visit to Bulgaria in February 2009 Nakagaki Engineering President decided to offer Japanese housewives ferments for Bulgarian yoghurt, which is famous for its taste and health benefits. He has found out that with Bulgarian ferments you can prepare yoghurt not only from cow’s milk, but also from soya milk, said Maria Yotova.
Denka KATSARSKA

Tokyo. The Japanese-Bulgarian projects in the field of photovoltaic energy and renewable energy sources should become a good example for more Japanese investors to invest their money in Bulgaria, said Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
In a joint statement with Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov, PM Naoto Kan said that Bulgaria will be an attractive country for the Japanese business.
“Despite that this is the first visit of PM Borisov to Japan, I have the feeling that he shows good understanding for Japan through the martial arts,” Naoto Kan remarked.
“As a government of Japan we have to back the strengthening of the economic ties between the two countries. During his visit to Japan PM Borisov has different meetings with the Japanese private sector and business. At the moment Japan and Bulgaria have several projects in the field of voltaic energy and wind energy production. I hope that these projects will be good precedents, which will make Japanese investors decide to make more investments in Bulgaria. In 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU. Japan and Bulgaria have been keeping very good ties even before that. But after Bulgaria’s accession in the EU I believe that Japan and Bulgaria should strengthen their relations as partners, sharing major values – that is what we both agreed on,” Naoto Kan said.
“I have learned from PM Borisov that Bulgaria is the door to the EU, that Bulgaria is politically stable and that the investment conditions in the country are very good. Thus, Bulgaria will make an attractive country for the Japanese business,” Naoto Kan said.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov invited Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan to visit Bulgaria.
“Such a visit would meet with great response in the EU and will give a push to the business,” Boyko Borisov said.
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has asked Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov for Bulgaria to support Japan in the talks with the EU over the economic integration agreement.
“As far as the Japan-EU economic partnership is concerned, talks are carried out by the European Commission (EC). Bulgaria, within its modest means, will try to assist,” Boyko Borisov said.
“Bulgaria’s natural resources, combined with Japan’s technology, may be useful for the production of food products and drinking water in the future,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said.
The Bulgarian prime minister remarked that Bulgaria is a country, which has the most necessary factors for the next decades in the world, and namely – huge opportunities for the production of food products and drinking water.
“With regard to our natural resources, the means, the diligence of the Bulgarian nation, our experts – all this combined with Japan’s high technologies and investments, I believe that this will allow us to produce much food and drinking water for the world in the next years. Adding our history – in the production of rose oil, yogurt, wine – this gives us confidence to attack these next technologies and positions. Plus what we do in the field of green energy, the new technological parks, electricity production using renewable energy resources – this gives us the chance to anticipate and move forwards together,” the Bulgarian prime minister remarked.
Boyko Borisov thanked the Japanese counterpart for the hearty welcome.
We would like to build the Bulgarian-Japanese economic ties on a mutually profitable basis, said Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.
Bulgaria extended an invitation to the Japanese businesses to join the concession of the Bulgarian ports on a mutually profitable basis, and the two sides discussed also green energy cooperation.
According to the law currently in force Bulgaria buys very expensively the green energy. That’s why the law will be amended in June or July hopefully. Right now the state buys the electricity generated by wind or solar energy farms more expensively than the electricity produced by the nuclear units of Kozloduy NPP or hydropower plants, said Borisov.
We would like to build our bilateral relations on a mutually profitable basis. Bulgaria generates some 5,000 MW of electricity and it is not profitable for the state to buy the electricity produced by these farms at a price that is several times higher. We want to change the rules so that Bulgaria could both meet its quotas by 2020 and generate profits, said Borisov.
We would like to build the Bulgarian-Japanese economic ties on a mutually profitable basis, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said after his meeting with Japan Federation of Economic Organizations Keidanren.
At the meeting Bulgaria extended an invitation to the Japanese businesses to join the concession of the Bulgarian ports on a mutually profitable basis, and the two sides discussed also green energy cooperation.
According to the law currently in force Bulgaria buys very expensively the green energy. That’s why the law will be amended in June or July hopefully. Right now the state buys the electricity generated by wind or solar energy farms more expensively than the electricity produced by the nuclear units of Kozloduy NPP or hydropower plants, said Borisov.
We would like to build our bilateral relations on a mutually profitable basis. Bulgaria generates some 5,000 MW of electricity and it is not profitable for the state to buy the electricity produced by these farms at a price that is several times higher. We want to change the rules so that Bulgaria could both meet its quotas by 2020 and generate profits, said Borisov.
Japan’s Meiji Dairies Corporation might invest in Bulgaria’s yoghurt production and export the dairy product to the EU market. This is one of the bilateral business projects discussed at a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the management of Japan Federation of Economic Organizations Keidanren.
The Japanese corporation is a traditional partner to Bulgaria’s state-run company LB Bulgaricum in the Bulgarian yoghurt production.
“We want them to transfer their know-how and market power to Europe through an investment in Bulgaria. This could be done by LB Bulgaricum and Meiji Dairies,” said Bulgarian Economy Minister Traycho Traykov.
The economy minister and LB Bulgaricum Executive Director Ventsislav Georgiev will hold a meeting with Meiji Dairies Corporation management on Tuesday.
Another project under discussion was one with Sumitomo Chemical about the distribution of Japanese plastic products.
Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito has accepted the invitation of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to pay a visit to Bulgaria by the end of 2011 or in 2012.
The meeting between PM Borisov and Crown Prince Naruhito lasted more than the planned in the agenda.
The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere in the spirit of traditionally friendly relations between Bulgaria and Japan.
The talks confirmed the major accents in the bilateral relations, the opportunities for development of the business relations, Bulgaria’s role not only in the Balkans but also in the EU. The attractive opportunities for tourism development have been outlined, too. The two have also pointed at the common perspectives for exchange in the field of politics.

Tokyo. Japan’s Toshiba Corporation has offered Bulgaria participation in a wide-range project about the development of smart grids and production and introduction of electric vehicles. Toshiba and Bulgarian Energy Holding have signed a memorandum about the project, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent to Japan Denka Katsarska reported.
Earlier today Toshiba Corporation President Norio Sasaki, Electricity Power and Industrial System Company President Ryuichi Nakata, and Power Systems Company President Yasuharu Igarashi met with Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov.
At the meeting with Toshiba Corporation we discussed a wide-range project about the construction of a system for smart grids elements in Bulgaria. This coincides with Bulgaria’s plans to develop renewable energy resources and start producing and using electric cars. However, all of the above needs suitable infrastructure that would be managed by smart power grids. Smart grids, unlike the current ones, mean electricity is not emitted by one power plant in all directions, but it can move both from sources to consumers and from consumers to sources. The project needs high-tech equipment that would control the processes. When 20% of all vehicles are electric, you can use them as a huge power battery. As you might know, the biggest problem of electricity is that it cannot be stored. If you have electric vehicles, you can charge them when there is too much electricity and it is cheap and later transmit it back to the grid when it is expensive. Bulgaria can replace up to 20% of all its vehicles with electric ones without having to build new power plants. Such a project needs investments in equipment, know-how and process management, said Minister Traykov.

Tokyo. Japan’s Meiji Dairies Corporation might invest in Bulgaria’s yoghurt production and export the dairy product to the EU market. This is one of the bilateral business projects discussed at a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the management of Japan Federation of Economic Organizations Keidanren, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent to Japan Denka Katsarska reported.
The Japanese corporation is a traditional partner to Bulgaria’s state-run company LB Bulgaricum in the Bulgarian yoghurt production.
“We want them to transfer their know-how and market power to Europe through an investment in Bulgaria. This could be done by LB Bulgaricum and Meiji Dairies,” said Bulgarian Economy Minister Traycho Traykov.
The economy minister and LB Bulgaricum Executive Director Ventsislav Georgiev will hold a meeting with Meiji Dairies Corporation management on Tuesday.
Another project under discussion was one with Sumitomo Chemical about the distribution of Japanese plastic products.

Tokyo. We would like to build the Bulgarian-Japanese economic ties on a mutually profitable basis, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said after his meeting with Japan Federation of Economic Organizations Keidanren, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent to Japan Denka Katsarska reported.
At the meeting Bulgaria extended an invitation to the Japanese businesses to join the concession of the Bulgarian ports on a mutually profitable basis, and the two sides discussed also green energy cooperation.
According to the law currently in force Bulgaria buys very expensively the green energy. That’s why the law will be amended in June or July hopefully. Right now the state buys the electricity generated by wind or solar energy farms more expensively than the electricity produced by the nuclear units of Kozloduy NPP or hydropower plants, said Borisov.
We would like to build our bilateral relations on a mutually profitable basis. Bulgaria generates some 5,000 MW of electricity and it is not profitable for the state to buy the electricity produced by these farms at a price that is several times higher. We want to change the rules so that Bulgaria could both meet its quotas by 2020 and generate profits, said Borisov.

Tokyo. The Japanese-Bulgarian projects in the field of photovoltaic energy and renewable energy sources should become a good example for more Japanese investors to invest their money in Bulgaria, said Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
In a joint statement with Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov, PM Naoto Kan said that Bulgaria will be an attractive country for the Japanese business, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan reports.
“Despite that this is the first visit of PM Borisov to Japan, I have the feeling that he shows good understanding for Japan thought the martial arts,” Naoto Kan remarked.
“As a government of Japan we have to back the strengthening of the economic ties between the two countries. During his visit to Japan PM Borisov has different meetings with the Japanese private sector and business. At the moment Japan and Bulgaria have several projects in the field of voltaic energy and wind energy production. I hope that these projects will be good precedents, which will make Japanese investors decide to make more investments in Bulgaria. In 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU. Japan and Bulgaria have been keeping very good ties even before that. But after Bulgaria’s accession in the EU I believe that Japan and Bulgaria should strengthen their relations as partners, sharing major values – that is what we both agreed on,” Naoto Kan said.
“I have learned from PM Borisov that Bulgaria is the door to the EU, that Bulgaria is politically stable and that the investment conditions in the country are very good. Thus, Bulgaria will make an attractive country for the Japanese business,” Naoto Kan said.

Tokyo. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has asked Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov for Bulgaria to support Japan in the talks with the EU over the economic integration agreement, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan Denka Katsarska reports.
During the joint statements for the media, Japanese PM Naoto Kan said that at the moment Japan is making efforts in the talks over the economic integration agreement with the EU and he has asked Boyko Borisov for support for Japan’s position.
“As far as the Japan-EU economic partnership is concerned, talks are carried out by the European Commission (EC). Bulgaria, within its modest means, will try to assist,” Boyko Borisov said.

Tokyo. “Bulgaria’s natural resources, combined with Japan’s technology, may be useful for the production of food products and drinking water in the future,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said in a statement after meeting with Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan reports.
The Bulgarian prime minister remarked that Bulgaria is a country, which has the most necessary factors for the next decades in the world, and namely – huge opportunities for the production of food products and drinking water.
“With regard to our natural resources, the means, the diligence of the Bulgarian nation, our experts – all this combined with Japan’s high technologies and investments, I believe that this will allow us to produce much food and drinking water for the world in the next years. Adding our history – in the production of rose oil, yogurt, wine – this gives us confidence to attack these next technologies and positions. Plus what we do in the field of green energy, the new technological parks, electricity production using renewable energy resources – this gives us the chance to anticipate and move forwards together,” the Bulgarian prime minister remarked.
Boyko Borisov thanked the Japanese counterpart for the hearty welcome.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov invited Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan to visit Bulgaria.
“I hope that he will give us this honour during our government’s mandate,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said at the briefing after meeting with Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan Denka Katsarska reports.
“Such a visit would meet with great response in the EU and will give a push to the business,” Boyko Borisov said.
“Today I received an invitation from your prime minister to visit Bulgaria. The Chinese leadership visited Bulgaria and then there was a really good response in the EU. PM Borisov said that my visit will meet with such a good response, too. I find this a very attractive offer,” Japanese PM Naoto Kan said.

Tokyo. The economic relations between Bulgaria and Japan should be built on mutually profitable principles – this is one of the major accents in the talks held by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the management of Japan federation of economic organisations Nippon Keidanren and its chairperson Hiromasa Yonekura, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan reports.
“Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov and I want to set grounds for a different method of work with the Japanese government in the next years. Our neighbours, who work with Korea, with China, made container terminals, which attract investments and the countries profit out of it. We have a loan for loose freights, for a bankrupted factory and at the moment we are paying interests and loans. We want to shift the scheme – to make Japanese companies take part in concessions and thus Bulgaria collect concession fees and profit out of its ports; instead of doing things which we only spend money for,” Boyko Borisov said.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has invited Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito on a visit to Bulgaria.
PM Borisov on Monday had an audience with Crown Prince Naruhito, FOCUS News Agency envoy to Japan informs.
The two have acknowledged the good relations between Bulgaria and Japan, and have discussed the perspectives for further development of the cooperation between the countries in the field of politics, economy and energy.
The accent in the talks was put on the opportunities for cooperation in the field of new technologies and green energy, acknowledging Bulgaria’s goof strategic position and its EU membership.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov will have an audience with Crown Prince Naruhito. The meeting will be held at Prince’s residence Akasaka Palace.
On Monday night, there will be also a meeting between the Bulgarian prime minister and Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan. After that the two prime ministers will make short statements.
During the day, Boyko Borisov is expected to meet with the chairperson of the Japan federation of economic organisations Nippon Keidanren, Hiromasa Yonekura. Then, Borisov will attend a work lunch hosted by Chihiro Kanagawa, Chairperson International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC).

Tokyo. The official part of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s visit to Japan continues on Monday with a series of meetings with politicians and representatives of the business elite in Japan.
The prime minister will have an audience with Crown Prince Naruhito. On Monday night, there will be a meeting between the Bulgarian prime minister and Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan. After that the two prime ministers will make short statements.
During the day, Boyko Borisov is expected to meet with the Japan federation of economic organisations Nippon Keidanren. Then, Borisov will attend a work lunch hosted by Chihiro Kanagawa, Chairperson International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC).
The management of Toshiba Corporation will meet with the Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov, while later on the corporation will host an official dinner to honour the Bulgarian prime minister.
A couple of days ago world media announced that the company will build one of the biggest solar parks, which will be located in the Bulgarian town of Yambol. According to schedule, the project will be finalised in 2012.
In parallel to the meetings, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association will sign an agreement.
The business meetings of the Bulgarian delegation in Japan started right after the arrival, as the first one was with the management of the MEIJI Corporation.
“The major goal of my visit to Japan is to strengthen the cooperation with the new government of the country, to present the enhanced opportunities given by Bulgaria as a trade and investment partner and to attract the interest of the Japanese business in our country,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said during his address in Japan.
On the first night of his visit to Japan PM Borisov took part in a work dinner given by Shigetaro Asano, President of MEIJI Dairies Japanese Corporation, and company’s adviser and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to Japan Hisashi Nakayama, the government’s press office announced.
The Bulgarian prime minister expressed his gratitude for the hearty welcome and said that he was happy to start his visit with a meeting with the management of MEIJI Dairies, which is a long-term friend and strategic business partner of Bulgaria.
The corporation has a leading role at the Japanese market of dairy products and in 1973 it started producing a yogurt under the brand named ‘Bulgaria’ (Meiji Bulgaria Yoghurt). Nowadays it has 40% market share.
“I appreciate highly the efforts of company’s president, Mr Asano, to help for the activity of our embassy in Tokyo for the popularisation of the Bulgarian culinary identity and to preserve the good image of our country in Japan through the perfect quality of the products under the brand ‘Bulgaria’,” Borisov remarked. He reminded that as a token of Bulgaria’s gratitude company’s president, Mr Asano, has been awarded the Madara Rider state order – 1st degree in 2010.
PM Boyko Borisov also expressed his gratitude to Mr Nakayama for his contribution to the development of the economic ties and the cultural exchange between the two countries.
“I am happy that despite the big geographic distance between Japan and Bulgaria, my country has many friends in Japan,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said in his address at the receipt organised by the Japan-Bulgaria Friendship Association based in Tokyo, FOCUS News Agency correspondent to Japan informs.
Borisov thanked the association, which over the years has been playing a key role for the encouragement and strengthening of the contacts and exchange between the two countries.
The guests enjoyed traditional Japanese demonstrations, such as a tea ceremony and others.

Tokyo. “I am happy that despite the big geographic distance between Japan and Bulgaria, my country has many friends in Japan,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said in his address at the receipt organised by the Japan-Bulgaria Friendship Association based in Tokyo, FOCUS News Agency correspondent to Japan informs.
Borisov thanked the association, which over the years has been playing a key role for the encouragement and strengthening of the contacts and exchange between the two countries.
The guests enjoyed traditional Japanese demonstrations, such as a tea ceremony and others.

Tokyo. “The major goal of my visit to Japan is to strengthen the cooperation with the new government of the country, to present the enhanced opportunities given by Bulgaria as a trade and investment partner and to attract the interest of the Japanese business in our country,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said during his address in Japan.
On the first night of his visit to Japan PM Borisov took part in a work dinner given by Shigetaro Asano, President of MEIJI Dairies Japanese Corporation, and company’s adviser and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to Japan Hisashi Nakayama, the government’s press office announced.
The Bulgarian prime minister expressed his gratitude for the hearty welcome and said that he was happy to start his visit with a meeting with the management of MEIJI Dairies, which is a long-term friend and strategic business partner of Bulgaria.
The corporation has a leading role at the Japanese market of dairy products and in 1973 it started producing a yogurt under the brand named ‘Bulgaria’ (Meiji Bulgaria Yoghurt). Nowadays it has 40% market share.
“I appreciate highly the efforts of company’s president, Mr Asano, to help for the activity of our embassy in Tokyo for the popularisation of the Bulgarian culinary identity and to preserve the good image of our country in Japan through the perfect quality of the products under the brand ‘Bulgaria’,” Borisov remarked. He reminded that as a token of Bulgaria’s gratitude company’s president, Mr Asano, has been awarded the Madara Rider state order – 1st degree in 2010.
PM Boyko Borisov also expressed his gratitude to Mr Nakayama for his contribution to the development of the economic ties and the cultural exchange between the two countries.

Kamakura. Bulgarian Petko Slavov, who studies the major form of classical Japanese musical drama Noh in Japan, has participated in the martial arts demonstration before the visiting Bulgarian delegation in Japan’s old capital Kamakura, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
Petko Slavov admitted being a beginner in iaijutsu.
“Philosophy has recently been drawing more attention and the purely practical side of the art remains aside. Our school is focused on practice… We pay attention to the destruction of the rival, but we keep saying that the best victory is to avoid a battle,” said Slavov.
The young Bulgarian man is a student with Osaka University and he has three more years to study to complete his PhD.

Kamakura. I recalled my youth, said Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov after attending a martial arts demonstration at the invitation is his Japanese hosts in the city of Kamakura, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
Borisov was shown aikido and iaijutsu techniques.
I was occupied with martial arts for some 20 years; my youth passed in such halls, so I recalled it, said Borisov.
This is religion, this is culture, this is plastics, this is internal perfection, he added.

Kamakura. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the delegation he heads have visited Japan’s old capital Kamakura, FOCUS News Agency’s correspondent Denka Katsarska reported.
In one of the temples the Bulgarian delegation attended a demonstration of aikido techniques.
Having seen the demonstration, PM Borisov said it brought back memories from his youth.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is to attend the final of the January sumo tournament in Tokyo on Sunday evening.
Since 1958 every year Japan holds six sumo tournaments – in January, May and September in Tokyo, in March – in Osaka, in July – in Nagoya, and in November – in Fukuoka.

Tokyo. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the Bulgarian government delegation arrived on an official visit to Japan, special messenger of FOCUS News Agency Denka Katsarska announced.
On the way to Tokyo after five and a half hours flight, the plane of Air Swat 28 stopped in Novosibirsk, for a stay and refuel. In Novosibirsk at Tolmachevo Airport the delegation faced the Siberian cold of minus 30 degrees C, from where after nearly six-hour flight, the Bulgarian Prime Minister arrived in Tokyo. He was welcomed by diplomats from the Bulgarian Embassy and Ambassador Lubomir Todorov. The delegation went to Kamakura City, the ancient capital of Japan, where tomorrow there will be held a cultural program. This evening is expected Mr. Borisov to have a working dinner with the president of Meiji Corporation Shigetaro Asano and honorary consul of Bulgaria in Yokohama and advisor in a Meiji Corporation Hisashi Nakayama.
Meiji Corporation produces original Bulgarian yoghurt in Japan, which enjoys a good reception here. It was established in 1917, and its partnership with Bulgaria continues for nearly 40 years.

Tokyo. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Boriosv and led by him Bulgarian delegation arrived for a working visit to Tokyo, FOCUS News Agency special messenger to Tokyo Denka Katsarska announced.
The visit of will continue until January 26.
The Bulgarian delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov, Minister of Economy Energy and Tourism Traiko Traikov, Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov and Minister of Agriculture and Foods Miroslav Mladenov, MPs and businessmen.

Sofia. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the Bulgarian governmental delegation left for Japan for an official visit, FOCUS News Agency reporter announced. The Bulgarian delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov, Minister of Economy Energy and Tourism Traiko Traikov, Minister of Culture Vezhdi Rashidov and Minister of Agriculture and Foods Miroslav Mladenov, MPs and businessmen. The visit will continue from January 22 to January 26.