Japan-Madagascar Relations
Foreign Minister Hayashi’s Courtesy Call on President Rajoelina of Madagascar
August 27, 2022
On August 27, commencing at around 04:20 p.m. (local time; August 28, around 00:20 a.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Andry Nirina RAJOELINA, President of the Republic of Madagascar. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi, mentioning the 60th anniversary of the Japan-Madagascar friendship, stated that Japan intends to support strengthening the connectivity of Madagascar, which is located at a key junction in the Indian Ocean and an essential part of realizing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, through cooperation for the Toamasina Port development project. In response, President Rajoelina expressed his condolences to former Prime Minister Abe, and Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude. President Rajolina then stated that cooperation between the two countries is developing dynamically and that he supports investment projects from Japanese companies, including in the mineral resources sector, and expressed his gratitude for the extensive support from Japan, including for rice production. Both sides confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
- Minister Hayashi then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. President Rajoelina stated that the vulnerability of Madagascar's economy is evident and that he expects further support from Japan. Minister Hayashi also raised the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two sides confirmed to cooperate with each other.
- Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform. They also confirmed to coordinate to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime following the recent NPT Review Conference.