Croatian President Stjepan Mesić, who is on an official visit to Japan, met Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Wednesday.
President Mesić told reporters after the meeting that Emperor Akihito inquired about Croatia's strategic interests.
After the talks, President Mesić was invited to a lunch at the imperial palace that was also attended by Crown Prince Naruhito.
After the lunch, the Croatian president held talks at the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation and attended an economic forum there. Speaking to Japanese business people attending the forum, President Mesić said that Japan and Croatia were not acquainted well enough with one another, which was the reason for reluctance in doing business and making investments. Croatian President told participants in the forum that Croatia was a zone of legal and real safety and that it would stay that way.
President Mesić also spoke to Japanese journalists whom he acquainted with Croatia's recent history, notably its war of independence and the break-up of Yugoslavia. The Japanese reporters inquired mostly about Croatia's position on the recognition of Kosovo's independence. President Mesić replied that Croatia would probably recognise Kosovo soon.
Croatian President ended the day by holding a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. The meeting focused on the economy.
"Our trade with Japan is comparatively strong, but we export mostly tuna. We have stated that Croatians drive Japanese cars and that we can manufacture parts for them, and the Prime Minister said that he would see to it that this is made known to manufacturers," Mesić said.
The Croatian president also presented PM Fukuda with the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with the Sash and the Croatian Morning Star.