leeroy
Online Reporter
Zimbabwe recorded a 47 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Japan last year, underscoring growing tourism cooperation between the two countries.
Figures released during a courtesy call by Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Maekawa Nobutaka, on Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, show that Japanese tourist arrivals rose from 10 692 in 2024 to 15 704 in 2025.
Posting on its microblogging site, X, the Ministry of Tourism said the increase in tourists from Japan shows increasing cooperation between the two countries.
“Rising Japanese Tourist Arrivals to Zimbabwe from 10 692 in 2024 to 15 704 in 2025 reflect the expanding Tourism Cooperation between Zimbabwe and Japan,” the statement reads in part.
“The Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency Maekawa Nobutaka, today paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi, where they discussed Tourism Promotion, Investment, Capacity Building, Destination Marketing and Technical Cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Japan Tourism Agency in July 2025.”
Minister Rwodzi welcomed the growing partnership reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to increasing tourist arrivals, attracting tourism investment and deepening cooperation with Japan in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2.
“Minister Rwodzi welcomed the engagement and invited the Japanese Embassy to participate in the forthcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo,” the statement added.
“She appreciated the support being provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in advancing development projects in Zimbabwe and welcomed further collaboration through JICA and Japanese volunteers in providing translation and interpretation services, Cultural Exchange and Tourism Promotion support.”
