TICAD
Spouse Program at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9)
On August 21, Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, hosted the TICAD 9 Spouse Program at Sankeien Garden and Yokohama Strawberry Park in Yokohama. The program was attended by the spouses of the Heads of Delegations from African countries and Ms. OKUBO Tomoko, a Deputy Mayor of Yokohama. The details of each event are as follows:
1. Participants
- Queen Make Matsebula, the spouse of the King of Kingdom of Eswatini
- Dr. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Angola
- Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Burundi
- Mrs. Rachael Chebet Ruto, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Kenya
- Mrs. Marie Khone Faye, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Senegal
- Mrs. Veena Ramgoolam, the spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius
- Mrs. Gueta Selemane Chapo, the spouse of the President of the Republic of Mozambique
- Bishop Dr. Christopher Lubinda, the spouse of the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia
- Mrs. Nelly Dion Ngoute, the spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cameroon
- Mrs. Katherine Anne Krontiris, the spouse of the Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone
- Mrs. Zakia Kombo, the spouse of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania
2. The Japanese theatre art Noh performance, followed by the Workshop of Noh drums and voicing (conducted at Sankeien Garden)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
Participants enjoyed a play of Noh performance entitled “Hagoromo,” which was presented by Kuraki Noh Stage, a performance group promoting Noh in Yokohama. Participants then joined the workshop for playing the Noh instruments, including Otsuzumi, Kotsuzumi and Taiko, which were used in the play.
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
3. Lunch hosted by Mrs. ISHIBA Yoshiko, the spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan (at the Sankeien Garden)
Mrs. ISHIBA reiterated her welcome to Japan and thanked them for their attendance at the program. Mrs. ISHIBA, then expressed her hope that through this program, the partnership between Japan and participating countries and regions would be further strengthened, and that their friendship will deepen. The participants enjoyed Japanese cuisine while introducing the traditional cultures of respective countries.
After the luncheon, participants experienced whisking matcha tea in a relaxed atmosphere, receiving explanations from instructors of the Urasenke Tankokai Yokohama branch.
Participants then enjoyed the matcha tea they had whisked themselves.
4. Site visit: Yokohama Strawberry Park
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
After receiving an explanation about the facility’s efforts in employing people with disabilities, participants experienced the harvesting of strawberries grown by people with disabilities. Participants deepened the insights on Japan's efforts towards a diverse society.
This cultural experience and lunch were served as an opportunity to welcome participants to Japan, deepen their insights on the Japanese culture, and strengthen the friendship and bonds between participating spouses.
