On 23 September 2025, at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, a meeting took place between Zigmantas Dargevičius, President of Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, and Shigehiro Komaru, President of Fukuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Honorary Consul General of Japan.
During the meeting, the results of the recent business mission of Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts to Japan were reviewed, impressions were shared, and the goals achieved were evaluated. Participants underscored the importance of the business contacts made during the mission and expressed satisfaction with the first business orders already received.
Preliminary discussions were also held about a future visit of a Japanese business delegation to Lithuania — initial outlines of the programme of the visit were presented, as well as potential directions for expanding cooperation.
The meeting took place alongside the 8th Japanese Language Competition, now established as a tradition. The competition is organized by the Komaru Transport Company, Fukuyama University, and the Asia Studies Centre of Vytautas Magnus University. This year’s theme was “Transport” in a broad sense. The event not only encourages young people to learn Japanese, but also contributes to strengthening Lithuanian-Japanese relations on the premise that language is one of the most important ways to know another country, its culture, and its people.
Aušra Misonė, Head of Education and Science Department at Kaunas Chamber, participated in the event. She emphasized the value of initiatives of this kind for cultivating intercultural understanding and broadening the horizons of youth. She also established contacts with Dr. Toshiyuki Sato, Chairman and President of the University Council of Fukuyama City University, and Dr. Arvydas Kumpys, Director of the Asia Studies Centre at VMU, with whom joint initiatives were discussed.
President Zigmantas Dargevičius also had the opportunity to meet with H.E. Shinsuke Shimizu, Japanese Ambassador to Lithuania.
This meeting reaffirmed the mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral economic ties and to promote closer collaboration between the business communities of Lithuania and Japan.
