Cerar also visited the High Energy Accelerator Research Organisation (KEK) in Tsukuba, which also involves Slovenian researchers.

At the Japan Business Federation, Cerar presented opportunities for investments in Slovenia to representatives of major Japanese companies, the prime minister's office said in a press release.

He pointed to the geo-strategic position of Slovenia as the door to Central Europe, the well-developed infrastructure and industrial zones, highly qualified workforce, positive economic indicators and a healthy tax environment.

Cerar assessed that the good political relations between the countries was an important factor contributing to the boosting of economic cooperation, especially from the aspect of Japanese investments in Slovenia.

The prime minister pointed to the free-trade agreement that is being negotiated between the EU and Japan. He believes that it should provide additional opportunities for better cooperation.

Cerar said that the key areas in Slovenia's interest for further investments were infrastructure, energy, automotive industry and robotics.

The prime minister told business executives at KEIDANREN that Slovenia was closely monitoring the work of Japanese companies and development opportunities they bring to the Slovenian economy and science.

A delegation of the Japan Business Federation will pay a visit to Slovenia on 17 October, featuring around 30 representatives of companies like Mitsubishi Chemicals, Japan Airlines, Hitachi, Sumitomo Electrics and Nippon Express.

The prime minister separately met top representatives of robots maker Yaskawa, which has a robot cell plant in Slovenia's Ribnica, and is looking for a location for a new robot production plant, with Slovenia being in play.