Japanese Ambassador hails growing cultural and developmental ties in Bulawayo

Mbulelo Mpofu [email protected]
Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Maekawa Nobutaka, who was in Bulawayo during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) week, has expressed optimism about the deepening relations between Zimbabwe and Japan, pointing to a blend of “pop culture” diplomacy and critical development support.
In an interview at the Japanese Embassy stand at ZITF last week, Ambassador Nobutaka highlighted growing interest among Zimbabwean youth in Japanese creative exports, particularly manga, anime and cosplay, which he believes are opening new avenues for cultural exchange.

He noted that Japanese-style comics, which originated in the mid-1900s, have evolved from a niche interest into a growing cultural movement in Zimbabwe.
To build on this momentum, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the 20th Japan International Manga Award, now open to non-Japanese creators. Submissions will be accepted from April 15 to June 30.
Ambassador Nobutaka also recently held discussions with representatives of Otakukon, Zimbabwe’s leading anime and gaming convention, including Archibald Moyo, Bill Masuku and Donald Chasi. The talks explored how creative industries can help connect local youth to Japanese scholarships and values.
“We are happy to be a part of this growing trend of anime, manga, and cosplay lovers. Exhibiting at this year’s Moto Republik in August will help us carry the narrative forward and engage more deeply with the creative community,” he said.
Beyond pop culture, the Ambassador is also strengthening ties in the arts sector. Earlier this month, he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, to explore further collaboration. This follows the success of a recent Japanese Film Festival in Harare, which reinforced cultural exchange between the two countries.
Japan’s support also extends to key development sectors. In Bulawayo, the country is assisting the health sector through the 5S-Kaizen-TQM method, a system focused on productivity and quality improvement, as well as introducing medical waste management solutions using high-efficiency incinerators manufactured in Japan.
This technical support is complemented by human resource exchange. Last year, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) deployed five Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) to Zimbabwe to support various projects across the country.
For Ambassador Nobutaka, this marks his second posting in Southern Africa, following a previous assignment in Zambia, a background that has helped him settle easily into local life.
“Bulawayo is a beautiful city, and the warmth of the people here has been a breath of fresh air. It’s a lot quieter than other places in the country, and I have enjoyed some isitshwala in Zimbabwe,” he said, noting its similarity to Zambia’s nshima.
During his visit, he also toured the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, where he met regional manager Silenkosi Moyo.
Since Zimbabwe’s independence, relations with Japan have grown into a multi-layered partnership. Ambassador Nobutaka said the continued collaboration, spanning creative industries and infrastructure, is aimed at fostering long-term, sustainable development.