Japan-Senegal Relations
Foreign Minister IWAYA’s Courtesy call on Prime Minister SONKO of the Republic of Senegal
April 29, 2025
On April 29, commencing at noon (local time)(9: 00 p.m. JST) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting the Republic of Senegal, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Ousmane SONKO, Prime Minister of the Republic of Senegal. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Iwaya stated that he was delighted to visit Senegal as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan in this year marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Senegal, and expressed his intention to further strengthen bilateral relations through measures such as enhancing economic ties with Senegal, promoting cooperation for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) to be held in Yokohama in August this year, and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games to be hosted by Senegal.
- Prime Minister Sonko welcomed Minister Iwaya’s visit to Senegal and expressed his appreciation for Japan's long-standing supports in various fields, particularly in human resources development. Besides, he stated his will to further strengthen bilateral relationship with Japan including enhancement of cooperation in the field of economy such as expansion of investment from Japan to Senegal. Minister Iwaya mentioned the increase in the number of Japanese companies operating in Senegal, and shared his expectation that both TICAD 9 and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, would also work as catalysts for further expansion of trade and investment between the two countries.
- Minister Iwaya stated that he would like to continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of human resources development and vocational trainings, taking into account Prime Minister Sonko's statement at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Senegal-Japan Vocational and Technical Training Center (CFPT-SJ) last year, that the Japanese development model can be a model for Senegal. Both sides also confirmed the strengthening of cooperation in a wide range of areas, including education, agriculture and demining. Furthermore, during the courtesy call, both sides concurred that the two countries are partners who share values such as democracy and the rule of law, and that they will advance cooperation with each other towards TICAD 9 and further enhance economic ties including expanding investments.