The business relationships between Japan and Bulgaria started in 1927 with exchange of official letters related to merchant ships and implementation of the MFN clause in this regard. In 1939 the Japanese diplomatic legation was officially opened in Bulgaria. In 1942 Bulgaria opens its diplomatic legation in Japan.
With an interruption of several years, the diplomatic relationships between the two countries exists more than 80 years. In 2019 Japan and Bulgaria celebrated “Triple Anniversary,” namely 110th anniversary of relationship, 80th anniversary of diplomatic relationship and 60th anniversary of resumption of diplomatic relationship.