Japan-Rwanda Relations
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA Tomoaki’s Attendance at the 32nd Commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda
April 7, 2026
On April 7, Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the 32nd Commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Japan, and delivered a commemorative speech on behalf of the Government of Japan. The overview is as follows;
- At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Shimada delivered a message of condolence to the victims of the tragedy in Rwanda and their bereaved families on behalf of the Government of Japan. He expressed our respect for Rwanda, which is achieving its unique recovery and development by cultivating a favorable business environment and steadily advancing towards an ICT Nation.
- Furthermore, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Shimada welcomed the progress in bilateral relations, referring to the visits to Japan by Rwanda’s dignitaries on the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and TICAD 9 last year, as well as the opening of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Rwanda in Kobe on the 1st of this month.
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister Shimada stated that two countries have built up a history of cooperation in the fields of water and sanitation services, infrastructure, agriculture and human resource development and also stated as an example of human resource development that the alumni of ABE Initiative (African Business Education Initiative for Youth) who participated from Rwanda continue to be actively engaged in activities that serve as a bridge between the two countries in business sector.