Mr. Delamuraz, the President of the Swiss Confederation, and Mr. Cotti, The Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, visited Japan in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Both countries have agreed that, starting in 1994, ad hoc political meetings should be convened between them. A meeting on economic affairs has been held regularly since 1995, while meetings on political affairs have been held three times. This warm offering was deeply appreciated by the Government of Japan and the Japanese people. The trade relations with Switzerland have basically been favorable,mainly because the two countries have only few items to compete each other.
Japan has trade deficits with Switzerland according to Japanese statistics.
1997 data show that the value of export to Switzerland was 256.3 billion yen, while that of imports was 414.8 billion. Cultural Exchanges Japanese traditional culture, the performing arts and sports are drawing people's attention in Switzerland at an increasing scale. Japan has been introducing Japanese visual and performing arts, which include Kabuki performances by Ennosuke Ichikawa and his troupe in Zurich in May, 1985. Besides, construction of a Japanese garden was finalized with aid received from the Expo Fund in Interlaken in July, 1995.