| Japanese (日本語) |
Embassy of Japan in Denmark
Denmark is one of the few countries that have recorded a trade surplus with Japan among the EU, the trade items are mutually complementary for each other. Denmark exports pork, dairies, pharmaceuticals to Japan while Japan exports cars, electrical appliances etc to Denmark. Therefore it can be said that we have maintained good trade relations.
In March 2010, Japan Prime Minister Hatoyama agreed with Denmark Prime Minister Rasmussen that the two countries would strengthen the three areas (1. Life Science, 2. Robotic technology, 3. Clean Green Technology) in the fields of business, science and technology.
1. Life Science
• May 2011: Nycomed Denmark became a subsidiary of Takeda, which is the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Japan, in accordance with the acquisition.
• November 2011: Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Lundbeck agreed to collaborate on five kinds of medicines for Psychiatry.
• August 2012: Shionogi agreed to collaborate with major five Danish universities.
2. Robotic Technology
• “Paro”, which was developed by AIST (The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan), was introduced to Denmark in 2008. Since remarkable effects were found in dementia cases, Paro has already been tested in many of care centres in Denmark.
• Summer 2008: Odense city started demonstration experiment of “HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb)”, a robotic suit developed by a venture company which is from Tsukuba University.
• March 2011: Demonstration experiment of “Telenoid” developed by Mr. Ishiguro, Professor of Osaka University, has started in Svendborg and Aalborg.
• June 2011: “ROBORIOR” from Tmsuk is an innovative take-care robot which can be remote-controlled and was introduced and tested in Danahøj.
• June 2011: Osaka-city and Embassy of Denmark in Japan signed a memorandum of understanding to promote exchange of future technologies of robots and environment.
3. Clean-Green Technology
• January 2012: Delegation of Mr. Kan, Former Prime Minister, visited Denmark to study renewable energy.
• August 2012: Delegation of Mr. Sato, Governor of Fukushima Prefecture, investigated renewable energy.
• July 2012: Kawasaki-city and Danish Embassy in Japan signed on a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration in environment and waste management etc.
• October 2012: Chugoku Economic Federation visited Denmark to investigate renewable energy.
• October 2012: Delegation of Ms. Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama-city, attended 3GF (Global Green Growth Forum) and lectured on how to attain environmental city referring to “Yokohama Smart City Project”.
Denmark's trade surplus has continued since 1987. As of 2012, the export to Japan totaled 188 billion yen while the import amount was 32 billion yen, which means that Denmark's trade surplus with Japan has reached a high level of 156 billion yen.
This is partly because exports of pork and dairy product have been steady. Also exports of pharmaceutical products have increased. The Japanese market is positioned as one of key areas to Denmark following the US, China and Russia.
Investment from Japan:
The number of Japanese corporations which have offices or subsidiaries in Denmark is 35 *. The business fields vary including pharmaceutical, food, IT, auto mobile, tourism etc.
34 of Danish companies have business bases in Japan*. Major companies are Novo Nordisk (Chemical), Lego (Toy), Royal Copenhagen (Tableware)
*Source: “Multinational Company lists 2011” by Toyo-Keizai-Shinpo