Japan-Rwanda Relations

On August 29, for about 10 minutes, from 3:45 pm, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, in Yokohama, Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows. President Kagame is visiting Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7) held from August 28 to 30.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Abe stated, “It is a pleasure to welcome you again to Japan since your last visit in January,” and expressed hope for further deepening of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Abe stated that he also looks forward to President Kagame’s leadership during the discussion at TICAD 7, one of the main theme being human resources development, technology, and innovation. In response, President Kagame stated, “I am grateful for the warm reception which I also enjoyed during my last visit”, and said, “Japan’s continued initiative through TICAD is benefiting Africa and, thus, strengthening the ties between Japan and Africa.”
2. Following that, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will support Rwanda’s efforts to improve children’s nutrition through the recently signed “Sector Policy Loan for Nutrition Improvement through Agriculture Transformation.” Prime Minister Abe also expressed Japan’s desire to strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries, and welcomed the launch of Rwanda’s first-ever satellite developed by the two countries scheduled in the near future. In response, President Kagame stated, “We appreciate Japan’s support in essential fields such as technical training, education, infrastructure, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” and welcomed the increase in the number of Japanese companies entering Rwanda.
3. The two leaders also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform, and the North Korea situation.