Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
JAPAN is committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s economic development by maintaining high levels of development cooperation in various economic sectors, outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Shinichi Yamanaka has said.
The Japanese envoy yesterday paid a farewell courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare following the conclusion of his diplomatic mission.
Speaking to the media after his closed-door meeting with the President, Ambassador Yamanaka said Tokyo was supportive of Harare’s developmental thrust towards the attainment of upper-middle-class economic status by 2030.
“In the development co-operation, we are supporting in the area of infrastructure, such as North-South corridor road rehabilitation, food assistance, landmine clearance, education, health and gender, as well as scholarships for Zimbabwean students and human resource development. Japan continues to support Zimbabwe’s economic development by maintaining its level of development co-operation,” he said.
The Japanese Ambassador said President Mnangagwa’s high-level visits to Japan earlier this year had also ensured the upscaling of bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Mnangagwa attended the Osaka Expo 2025 in July and the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit in August.
“Before my departure, I had a courtesy call and I expressed my sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, for his kind co-operation, especially for visiting Japan twice this year, along with several Cabinet Ministers, for the National Day at the Osaka Expo 2025 in July and TICAD 9 in August.
“These high-level exchanges have greatly contributed to the development of bilateral relations,” said Ambassador Yamanaka.
He said the two countries’ economic co-operation was increasing, adding that Japanese companies were also keen on employing Zimbabweans in the information technology industry, on the back of their renowned culture of hard work and tenacity.
Ambassador Yamanaka said more people-to-people exchanges between both countries were also an imperative.
“Business relations are also expanding.
“Last year, sesame exports to Japan started, and export of petalite mineral, which is used in Japanese earthenware pots, also resumed. In addition to agriculture, mining and tourism, Japanese companies are interested in employing young, talented Zimbabweans in IT industries. Zimbabweans and Japanese share similar characters, and Shona and Japanese languages are also quite similar.
“So further expansion of people-to-people exchanges is important for our bilateral relations.”
Ambassador Yamanaka said although his diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe had come to an end, he was confident of increased co-operation and collaboration between the two countries.
“Although my term was quite short, only two years, I had an extremely fulfilling and enjoyable stay in Zimbabwe.
“So I anticipate further development of comprehensive partnership and friendship between Zimbabwe and Japan,” he said.
