Book Presentation Held in Tokyo
Azerbaijani author Alibey Mammadov held a presentation for his Japanese-language book, "A Strategy Called Azerbaijan," at the academic salon of the Kinokuniya Shinjuku bookstore in Tokyo on June 20, 2026.
Event Organization and Sales
The event was organized following the book's strong sales performance and increasing Japanese interest in Azerbaijan. According to organizers, the publication has ranked among the bookstore's top weekly bestsellers, reflecting a noticeable rise in interest toward Azerbaijan in Japan.
Book Content
"A Strategy Called Azerbaijan" provides information on Azerbaijan's history, culture, economy, business environment, and relations with Japan. The book also covers geopolitics, energy security, wars, diplomacy, and public administration. It is anticipated to enhance Japanese readers' understanding of Azerbaijan and boost tourist interest in the country.
Author Background
Alibey Mammadov has resided in Japan since 2012 and studied political science at Hokkaido University. He previously published "Why Azerbaijan Is Interesting Now" in Japanese in 2018.
Azerbaijani Oil Delivery to Japan
Speakers at the event highlighted the arrival of Azerbaijani oil in Japan on May 11, 2026, marking the first such delivery to the country. This crude oil shipment was approximately 283,000 barrels and was destined for ENEOS's Negishi refinery near Tokyo.
Energy Security Context
The arrival of Azerbaijani crude oil marked Japan's first such shipment from Central Asia since the outbreak of war in Iran in February. The Japanese side is diversifying its energy supply sources, including from Azerbaijan, due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in Iran.
Strait of Hormuz Statistics
The Strait of Hormuz previously supplied approximately 95% of Japan's crude oil imports from the Middle East. The shipment was described by speakers as an important contribution to Japan's energy security amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Diplomatic Visits and Cooperation
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov visited Japan from June 9-10, 2026. He met with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on June 10, 2026.
Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across various fields, including diplomacy, economy, and energy security. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the development of relations over 30 years.
Tourism Initiatives
The Japanese side welcomed Azerbaijan's decision to grant visa-free entry to Japanese citizens for one year to promote tourism and expand ties.
Evacuation Assistance
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's assistance in evacuating Japanese nationals who fled Iran by land to Azerbaijan following a deterioration of the situation in the Middle East.
Cultural Elements at Event
Guests at the presentation sampled traditional Azerbaijani cuisine. At the conclusion of the event, participants received signed copies of the book from the author.