Canada’s relationship with Japan has evolved into a multifaceted tapestry of trade, immigration, and tourism, starting in the early days of the Meiji Restoration
Canada and Japan share a history dating back to the 19th century.
The relationship has endured, surviving a dark chapter of internment camps and emerging as partners.
According to records at the Nikkei National Museum Cultural Centre in Burnaby, BC, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in Canada in 1877.
Immigration
The Japanese community in Canada has a history, including the birth of British Columbia and the transcontinental railroad construction. The highest concentration of Japanese in Canada is in the West, in BC in particular.
Despite the slow and steady pace of Japanese immigration to Canada, the community has significantly contributed to the country’s cultural and economic landscape.
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While just under 8,900 Japanese nationals immigrated to Canada in the decade leading up to 2021, the Japanese immigrant community is relatively small. According to Statistics Canada, Japan did not feature in Canada’s top 10 places of birth of immigrants from 2016 to 2021.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2001, there were more women of Japanese origin than men living in Canada.
A March 2023 CBC report said 76% of Japanese immigrants to Canada, representing the 14,000 who arrived between 2001 and 2021, were women. The high number was attributed to gender inequality, limited opportunities, and women’s inability to juggle advancing at work and motherhood. The interview subject said she found it easier to be a working mother in Canada than in Japan.
Others come for different reasons. Another Japanese woman moved to Canada but only stayed for two years. Her husband worked on a contract in Toronto. She said she maintained her ties to Japan by watching YouTube and Netflix and attending events organized by the Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce & Industry.
Main centres
A paper by a member of the National Association of Japanese Canadians in 2023 outlines the changing demographic profile of Japanese in Canada. It says since 1957, British Columbia and Ontario have remained two significant centres for Japanese Canadians. In 2021, the two provinces had 75% of the Japanese Canadian population.
Toronto’s Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) offers comprehensive programs for Japanese visitors and workers in Canada. The JCCC offers various cultural programs and guides for its members and annual visitors.
Some guides explain the nuances of cultural concepts and communication strategies for business relationships. Canadian firms can gain a distinct advantage by knowing Japanese business culture and maintaining strong relationships.
Through its “West Meets East” human resource training seminars, the JCCC provides Canadian businesses with the knowledge and strategies crucial to offering perspectives from both Canada and Japan. Tips on business etiquette include understanding the importance of hierarchy at the workplace, nonverbal communication, and details such as the right way to present a business card.
Trade
Japan is Canada’s third-largest trading partner in terms of exports. According to Global Affairs Canada, Canadian exports to Japan in 2022 were $18 billion, higher than imports from Japan. The Asian nation is the world’s third-largest national economy and one of Canada’s most important economic and commercial partners.
Canada’s exports to Japan experienced the most significant drop since the 2008 financial crisis, while imports from Japan surged by over one-quarter, resulting in a diminished trade surplus between the two nations.
The Japan-Canada Forum 2000 is a joint initiative established in May 1991 by the Japanese and Canadian governments to foster a stronger bilateral partnership capable of dealing more effectively with emerging challenges.
Tourism
Tourism is a vital bridge between Canada and Japan, fostering cultural exchange and economic growth. While Japanese visits to Canada have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels fully, the recent visitor surge signals a promising trend.
Conversely, Canadian visits to Japan reached a record high of 425,874 in 2023, surpassing previous levels and showcasing the draw of Japan’s rich cultural heritage and modern attractions.
In January 2024, Japan ranked as Canada’s 12th most important overseas tourist market, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the tranquil beauty of Kyoto.
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The relationship between Canada and Japan has endured through bonds forged through centuries of cultural exchange, economic cooperation, and shared experiences. As both nations stand together on the world stage as members of the G7 and navigate the complexities of a changing world, the ties that bind them continue to strengthen, ensuring a prosperous future built on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.
