Japanese Ambassador to Greece Ito Koichi opened his remarks at Naftemporiki’s 2nd N-TIF Forum with a look back at the 1929 Thessaloniki International Fair and Japan’s presence as this year’s Honoured Country.“It is a great honour and pleasure to be with you,” he said in Greek, before continuing in English as part of the discussion, “Japan & Greece: Building the future together”.The Japanese Ambassador revealed that someone had brought him an old brochure from the Thessaloniki International Fair documenting the presence of Japanese companies as early as 1929.“Almost 100 years ago, Japan was trying to export its products to Greece. And we are here again, as the Honoured Country. Thank you,” he said.Japan’s presence in Thessaloniki, however, goes beyond the two countries’ historical ties. Ito Koichi highlighted contemporary Japanese investments, particularly Hitachi’s involvement in the Thessaloniki Metro, both in the trains and the safety systems.He stressed that Japan aims to continue and expand its economic engagement with Greece.“We hope that Japanese products and Japanese technology will make the lives of citizens in Thessaloniki better,” he said.New opportunities in shipbuildingThe Japanese Ambassador also referred to Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s new development plan, which includes 17 strategic priority sectors, ranging from semiconductors and biotechnology to shipbuilding.With regard to shipbuilding in particular, he said Japan plans to mobilise significant funding in the coming years, with investments of €6 billion by 2035 to upgrade the sector.According to Ito Koichi, this development creates new opportunities to further expand business ties between Japan and Greece, at a time when both countries have strong maritime sectors and a shared interest in new technologies and investment.“We are at a crucial moment,” Ito Koichi said, expressing hopes for new business activities and even closer cooperation with Greece in the years ahead.