Diplomatic Relations Between the Independent State of Croatia and Japan

Based on the relevant sources and literature, the author has tried to reconstruct the establishment of diplomatic relations between the imperial Japan and the so-called Independent State of Croatia during the World War II. The text shows the genesis and development of these relations from the moment of Japanese recognition of the Ustasha regime onwards. The focus of attcntion is placed on the efforts of Croatian officials to establish a Japanese embassy in Croatia, with its scat in Sofia (Bulgaria) and not in Italy, thus trying to lessen the dependence of Ustasha regime on Italy. The resolution of this conflict became possible only after the capitulation of the fascist Italy in September 1943, when Japanese embassy was finally established in Zagreb.