Introduction
The two countries which are having links that were established nearly 600 years ago and the friendship between the two countries is finding close relationship in recent years. The Thai-Japanese Association which was established way back in 1935 by people of Thai and Japanese community together. The main purpose behind setting the center is to promote Thai in Japan, which can build stronger relationships between the two nations. In the year September 2007 the community of Thailand and Japan had celebrated 120th anniversary of establishment of the cultural ties and diplomatic relations.
Thai-Japanese relationship
Over the years the Thai and Japanese relationship is growing stronger. The main reason behind it is the investment made by Japanese government in Thailand. The Japanese government with its active participation has helped in building stronger economic ties with Thailand. Japan has always offered economic grants and technical assistance in the development projects to the Thailand. It has certainly boosted their economy and helped them in overcoming the economic crisis and the recession, which had poised a threat to the business and commercial fields of Thailand. It has helped in bringing Thai in Japan which is always considered as a friendly nation.
Cultural exchange
Because of cultural similarities and the social likeness both Thailand and Japan have closer relations. It has been observed in the cultural exchanges which are mainly involved in at various levels including elements of civil society, which can be seen in the private sectors, organizations at state and local levels including administrative services. The various departments such as culture, sports, social welfare along with youth exchanges can clearly show the parallel bounds between these two orthodox cultures. The Thai in Japan is increasing because both the nations have many things in common, which helps them in having special relationship.
Increasing number of Thai students
The main reason for having Thai in Japan is the increasing number of Thai students studying in Japan. Thai students always find it easy to get assorted with the Japanese style of living and the Japanese culture. Most of the Thai students who study in Japan prefer to work in Japan as it offers tremendous experience and enhance the skills. Apart from tourists the major population of Thai in Japan is the students. The well known business experts and scientist of Thailand had obtained the education in Japan.
Social differences
As a society, the Japanese people are not open to the outsiders and it can reflect in number of cases where the parents-in-law were not welcomed in the family. Many of Thai-Japanese couples do have problems when staying with husband’s parents, which is very common in Japan. In some other cases the husband’s parents do not approve the Thai-wife and can be treated as foreigner. But today Thai in Japan are trying to overcome the social differences.
Conclusion
Thailand has all the advantages of being close to Japan not just geometrically but culturally as well. The Thai-Japanese community is growing in the positive direction by overcoming the minor differences. It is surely beneficial for the world to have stronger ties between these two nations.
