Japan-Democratic Republic of the Congo Relations
Japan-the Democratic Republic of the Congo Summit Meeting
July 1, 2025
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On July 1, commencing at 2:30p.m., for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mrs Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is visiting Japan to participate in the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
- Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed Prime Minister Suminwa's first visit to Japan to participate in the DRC's National Day at the Osaka-Kansai Expo held on June 30, and expressed his desire to cooperate closely to deepen bilateral relations. In response, Prime Minister Suminwa welcomed the Osaka-Kansai Expo and expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.
- Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his hope that TICAD 9, to be held in August this year, would be an opportunity to utilize Japan's innovative technologies and knowledge to co-create solutions to issues that will lead to the prosperity of both Japan and Africa, and requested the cooperation of the DRC in making TICAD 9 a success. Prime Minister Ishiba then expressed his hope to strengthen relations with the DRC, a country with high economic potential blessed with abundant mineral, forest, and water resources. Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations, referring to cooperation in a wide range of areas, including infrastructure, health, environment, and security. In response, Prime Minister Suminwa expressed her appreciation for Japan's cooperation to date and said that he looked forward to investment in the DRC by Japanese companies and hoped to further strengthen bilateral relations in the economic field. Furthermore, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his expectations for improvement of the business environment and strengthening of governance of the DRC.
- After receiving explanations from Prime Minister Sminwa, Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed the signing of the peace agreement by the Foreign Ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on June 27. The two leaders also affirmed the importance of the rule of law and affirmed their commitment to work closely together in the international arena. Furthermore, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in East Asia such as their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue.