On March 2, 2009, the State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Seiko HASHIMOTO, on behalf of Foreign Minister NAKASONE, offered a dinner to the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo. Also attended this traditional dinner several members of the Diet, including Senator Tetsuro YANO, as well as officials from various ministries and representatives of the Japanese government agencies (JICA and JETRO). Honorable Reijiro HATTORI, President of the Africa Society was also among the distinguished guests.

H.E. Mrs. Hashimoto in her toast welcomed the guests and recalled the organization in May last year, in Yokohama, of the 4th TICAD. She reiterated the position of her government that, despite the global economic crisis, Japan will continue to meets its commitments, as indicated by Prime Minister ASO at the last Devos Conference. In that context, she mentioned the TICAD IV ministerial meeting to be held in Botswana in the second part of March and the G-20 meeting in April, where Japan is expecting to voice the concerns and played a leading role in mobilizing efforts towards Africa. She ended her speech by recalling that Japan stands ready to further develop its cooperation with Africa.

Honorable Yano also focused in his address on the strengthening of the trade and investment relationships between Africa and Japan. In this regard, he acknowledged the joint-missions undertaken, at the end of last year by both representatives of the Japanese public and private sectors to identify business opportunities and projects in Africa. This process should continue he said.

In his response, H.E. Mr. Jean-Christian OBAME, Ambassador of Gabon to Japan and current Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps (ADC) made the following speech:

 “On behalf of the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, let me take the opportunity to thank you for the invitation at this dinner, and for pursuing this tradition which allows us to have an informal contact and dialogue with the highest officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese government agencies and those of the Diet, on issues of mutual interests between Africa and Japan.

 Allow me also to thank you for your kind and very refreshing words on the global partnership in which Japan is engaged, in synergy with the nations of Africa, aimed at contributing to the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable development and bringing more peace and prosperity to our continent.

(to read the rest of the speech of Ambassador OBAME, please click here).