Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Zimpapers Correspondent
JAPAN International Cooperation Agency (JICA) outgoing Resident Representative, Mr Shigeki Furuta, on Monday paid a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, following the conclusion of a successful three-year tenure in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to the media after the meeting at Munhumutapa Offices in Harare, Mr Furuta described his stay as transformative, noting that the bilateral relationship between Harare and Tokyo had expanded “dramatically” during his tour of duty.
The envoy’s tenure was marked by a significant uptick in high-level diplomatic engagements, underpinned by President Mnangagwa’s participation at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and the Expo 2025 Osaka.
“I spent three years here. I felt that Zimbabwe is a wonderful, great country,” Mr Furuta said.
“During these three years, the relationship between Japan and Zimbabwe has been developing dramatically. Especially last year, there was the Osaka Expo and TICAD.
“At both, President Mnangagwa visited Japan. I am also happy that JICA’s president met with President Mnangagwa at the Expo. I hope that this relationship will develop further during these coming years.”
Mr Furuta highlighted that JICA’s footprint in Zimbabwe has grown across critical economic pillars, driven by the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
Key areas of cooperation during his term included agriculture, health, infrastructure, and education.
“I am really so happy that JICA’s cooperation with Zimbabwe has been promoted well in the agriculture sector, health sector, infrastructure, and education and I wish to come back,” he added.
Minister Murwira commended Mr Furuta for his proactive role in strengthening the bond between the two nations.
He also added that the outgoing representative had been instrumental in advancing development cooperation and aligning JICA’s projects with Zimbabwe’s national development goals.
Zimbabwe and Japan continue to enjoy cordial relations, with Tokyo remaining a key partner in Zimbabwe’s quest to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 through sustainable development and technology transfer.
