Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike ,Senior Zimpapers Reporter
THE Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Shinichi Yamanaka, has said that Vice- President Kembo Mohadi’s visit to Japan — where he will attend the Osaka Expo 2025 — will help deepen the friendship and co-operation between Harare and Tokyo.
Ambassador Yamanaka made the remarks after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Mohadi at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday, ahead of the Vice President’s departure.
The Osaka Expo 2025, which commenced on April 13 and runs until October 13, is themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”. It provides a global platform for dialogue and innovation aimed at tackling shared global challenges.
Vice-President Mohadi’s visit follows a series of high-level engagements between Zimbabwe and Japan, including President Mnangagwa’s visit in July this year.
Earlier this month, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda also travelled to Japan to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Speaking after the airport meeting, Ambassador Yamanaka expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to meet the Vice President prior to the Expo and underscored the significance of the visit.
“I am convinced that the visit of this high-level mission to Japan will contribute to the further expansion and strengthening of the friendship and co-operation between our two countries,” he said.
Ambassador Yamanaka also reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for Zimbabwe’s development, particularly in agriculture and mining.
“We are co-operating in various areas — not only infrastructure, but also agriculture, health, education and mining. We are continuing our support to Zimbabwe at the current level of cooperation.”
The Vice-President’s participation in the Expo is expected to advance Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement agenda, opening up new avenues for investment and partnership.
During President Mnangagwa’s five-day visit to Japan, he led the Zimbabwean delegation at the inaugural Zimbabwe-Japan Business Forum, where three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in the sectors of tourism, mining and manufacturing.
The President also toured the Zimbabwe Pavilion at the World Expo, where the country showcased its cultural heritage, tourism potential and economic development initiatives using advanced technologies such as 3D displays and virtual reality.
As part of his official itinerary, President Mnangagwa held talks with the leadership of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to explore enhanced collaboration in sustainable agriculture and infrastructure development.
Discussions focused on increasing agricultural productivity, boosting exports, and continuing support for infrastructure projects, including road construction.
The Zimbabwean delegation also held a strategic meeting with executives from Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
