Japan-Democratic Republic of the Congo Relations
Japan-Democratic Republic of the Congo Summit Meeting
August 30, 2019
Japan-Democratic Republic of the Congo Summit Meeting(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
On August 30, for about 15 minutes, from 11:35 a.m., in Yokohama, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The overview of the meeting is as follows. President Tshisekedi is visiting Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) held from August 28 to 30.
- At the outset, Prime Minster Abe congratulated the President on his inauguration and stated that the peace and stability of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a major country in the central African region, is vital to the prosperity of Africa. Prime Minister also conveyed his congratulation on the awarding of the third Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize to Dr. Muyembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Tshisekedi remarked, “This is the first time that a head of state from the Democratic Republic of Congo attended TICAD. It is the mark of our strong determination to further strengthen the bilateral relations with Japan.”
- Following that, Prime Minister Abe expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to those affected by the Ebola outbreak, and announced Japan’s decision to provide emergency grant aid of USD 5 million and the dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Team/ Infectious Disease Response Team. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan highly valued the removal of the import restriction imposed on the feed and food originating from Japan, which Japan considered the most important issue that needed to be addressed. Further, Prime Minister Abe announced Japan’s intention to support the improvement of food security of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In response, President Tshisekedi expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support as well as his expectation for increase in number of Japanese companies entering the country and for assistance in the field of infrastructure development in electricity sector, mining, and human resources development.
- The two leaders also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform, and the North Korea situation.