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Panama and Japan have taken a concrete step toward opening a future direct air route between Panama City and Tokyo, after both countries signed a Record of Discussions that establishes the framework for regular passenger and cargo flights between the two markets. The agreement allows Panamanian and Japanese airlines to be designated for scheduled service and also opens the door to codeshare agreements, including with airlines from third countries.

This does not mean that tickets are already on sale or that a start date has been announced. But it does move the project from a diplomatic idea into a regulatory and operational phase. In May, executives from All Nippon Airways and Boeing visited Tocumen International Airport to evaluate the technical feasibility of a future Tokyo-Panama route, including airport infrastructure, long-haul operational requirements and potential cooperation with Copa Airlines.

The value of the route is clear. Today, there are no nonstop flights between Panama City and Tokyo. Travelers usually need to connect through North America, with current Panama-Haneda options involving one stop and flight times that can range from about 21 hours to nearly 25 hours depending on the route. The fastest listed option is around 21 hours and 5 minutes via San Francisco.

A direct Panama-Tokyo flight would likely cut that travel time to an estimated 16 to 17 hours, depending on aircraft, winds and final routing. That means passengers could save roughly four hours compared with the fastest current option, and closer to six or eight hours compared with longer routings through New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. It would also remove the friction of a U.S. connection for many travelers moving between Japan, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

The route would be historic for Panama. Tocumen’s current longest nonstop route is Panama City-Istanbul, operated by Turkish Airlines, at around 13 hours and 6,718 miles. A Panama-Tokyo route would be significantly longer, roughly 13,500 kilometers, or more than 8,400 miles, making it one of the most ambitious long-haul routes ever connected to the Hub of the Americas.

It would also give Japan a stronger air bridge into Latin America. Direct air connectivity between Japan and Latin America remains limited, with Tokyo-Mexico City currently standing out as the main nonstop link, operated by ANA and Aeroméxico. Most travelers between Japan and South America still depend on one or two stops through the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe or the Middle East.

For Panama, the route is not only about tourism. It fits into a larger economic relationship with Japan that has been growing around infrastructure, logistics, energy, maritime services and trade. During recent bilateral meetings, Panama and Japan discussed cooperation in major projects including the Panama Metro Line 3, Canal-related infrastructure, clean energy, technology, agriculture and logistics. Japan has also moved the possible direct flight through its Ministry of Transport, according to statements from the Japanese prime minister during President José Raúl Mulino’s visit to Tokyo.

The maritime relationship is especially important. Japan is the third-largest user of the Panama Canal by cargo volume, while more than 14% of the cargo transiting the Canal is directly or indirectly linked to Japan. Panama has also highlighted that 232 Japanese ship-owning companies are connected to the Panamanian registry, representing 1,969 vessels and 77.6 million gross tons.

The aviation agreement also arrives as Panama seeks deeper Japanese participation in infrastructure financing. The Panamanian government and Keidanren, Japan’s powerful business federation, have started preliminary talks around a possible bilateral economic partnership framework. Projects under discussion include the Río Indio multipurpose reservoir, a trans-isthmian gas pipeline, new port terminals, Metro Line 3 expansion toward Costa Verde, Line 2A, Cerro Patacón modernization, data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The trade relationship already has scale. UN Comtrade-based data compiled by Trading Economics shows Japan exported $5.36 billion to Panama in 2025, while Panama exported $125.07 million to Japan, led by ores, coffee, meat, copper and seafood categories.

Tourism is another reason the route matters. Panama received more than 3 million international visitors in 2025, generating $6.58 billion in tourism revenue, while Tocumen alone received more than 2.24 million visitors. Japan, meanwhile, has been experiencing a historic tourism boom, with 36.87 million international visitors in 2024 and record visitor spending of 8.1 trillion yen.

The timing also helps Panamanian travelers. Since April 2024, Panamanian citizens with valid ordinary ICAO-compliant passports can enter Japan without a visa for short stays of up to 90 consecutive days. That removes one of the main barriers for tourism, business trips, cultural exchange and academic travel between both countries.

For Japan, Panama offers more than a destination. It offers access. A direct Tokyo-Panama route could connect Japanese travelers and companies to Copa’s regional network across the Americas, giving Japan a more efficient gateway into Central America, the Caribbean and South America. For Panama, it would reinforce the country’s role as a logistics, financial and aviation platform connecting global markets.

The route is still not guaranteed. It will depend on commercial demand, aircraft economics, bilateral permissions, airline strategy and the final business case. But the direction is clear: Panama and Japan are building the legal, technical and diplomatic foundation for a connection that could reshape travel between Asia and Latin America.

5 Things to Know

1. The agreement allows regular passenger and cargo flights. Panama and Japan signed a Record of Discussions that permits airline designation, scheduled services and codeshare agreements between both countries.

2. A direct flight has not been officially launched yet. There is no confirmed start date or ticket sale. The agreement is a major step, but the route still depends on airline and technical decisions.

3. Travelers could save several hours. Current Panama-Tokyo trips can take around 21 to 25 hours with connections. A nonstop route could bring that closer to 16 or 17 hours.

4. It would be Panama’s longest air route. Panama-Istanbul is currently Tocumen’s longest nonstop route. A Panama-Tokyo flight would be much longer and would place Tocumen in the ultra-long-haul aviation category.

5. The route is about more than tourism. Japan is a major Canal user, an infrastructure partner and an important trade counterpart. A direct flight would support business, logistics, investment, cargo and regional connectivity.