Japan-Cameroon Relations
Japan-Cameroon Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 31, 2019
On August 31, for about 30 minutes commencing at 10:15 am, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with H.E. Mr. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon. The overview of the meeting is as follows. Minister Mbella Mbella attended the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) held from August 28 to 30.
- At the outset, Minister Kono stated, “I appreciate Your Excellency’s participation in TICAD. Japan places particular importance on the peace and stability of Cameroon in pursuit of peace and stability in the region, and is willing to cooperate with Cameroon.” Minister Mbella Mbela replied by saying, “I welcome the vision which Japan demonstrated during TICAD7. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Japan on the successful convening of TICAD7 and to His Majesty the Emperor on his enthronement.”
- Following that, Minister Kono announced that Japan decided to provide financial assistance amounting to about 230,000 US dollars for the International School for Security Force (EIFORCES) in order to achieve stabilization in the English-spoken region in Cameroon as well as in the region around Lake Chad. In response, Minister Mbella Mbela stated that Cameroon, while facing issues relating to humanitarian affairs, welcomed assistance from Japan. Furthermore, Minister Kono announced Japan’s intention to provide cooperation for food safety in Cameroon, following a recently-signed grant aid “The Economic and Social Development Programme” for equipment provision in the agriculture sector including rice cultivation. Minister Mbella Mbella expressed his gratitude for the supports extended from Japan in fields such as education, human resources development and infrastructure. He also demonstrated his expectations for an increased investment from Japanese companies and further cooperation in such areas as education, especially in science and technology, as well as infrastructure.
- The two ministers also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform.