Japan-Kenya Relations

After exchanging greetings, Prime Minister Abe offered a joint press occasion with President Kenyatta, and expressed his determination to make TICAD VI a success and to strongly give a boost to the development agenda of Kenya and the rest of Africa.

Congratulating the success of TICAD VI and thanking Japan’s support in the process, President Kenyatta welcomed Prime Minister Abe to Kenya and expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation for Japan’s efforts to give a boost to the economic growth of Kenya and the entire Africa. President Kenyatta stated that he wants to strengthen Japan-Kenya relations even more.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the efforts of President Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretary Amina, and Kenya as the host country for TICAD VI, and stated that Japanese public and private sectors will together deepen friendship with Kenya, which is Japan’s important partner as well as a gateway to East Africa, through making the win-win bilateral relations even more robust. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his intention to promote cooperation for the development of Mombasa Port, to which Japanese companies are paying high attention as a gateway to the Northern Corridor and a distribution hub for East Africa, as well as of Olkaria V Geothermal Power Plant.

The two leaders had a fruitful exchange of opinions on regional and global affairs and confirmed their intention to cooperate in international fora, including the United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister Abe, together with President Kenyatta, attended a meeting with Japanese companies that are accompanying Prime Minister Abe during his visit, Kenyan local companies, etc.

Prime Minister Abe himself introduced to President Kenyatta representatives of 12 Japanese companies and a university who are passionate to enhance exchanges with Kenya.

President Kenyatta introduced five major Kenyan companies and expressed his expectation towards further trade and investment from Japan to Kenya.

Mr. Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister, and Mr. Henry K. Rotich, Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, signed and exchanged the Japan-Kenya Investment Agreement as well as the Exchanges of Notes regarding two grant aid programs of up to one billion Japanese yen in total, in the presence of Prime Minister Abe and President Kenyatta.

At a joint press occasion, the two leaders unveiled a Joint Statement (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)), which compiled a wide vision to dramatically strengthen the Japan-Kenya relations.

Prime Minister Abe attended a dinner hosted by President Kenyatta and the First Lady at the State House. The two leaders congratulated the success of TICAD VI and, taking advantage of this state visit by Prime Minister Abe, expressed their resolution to further cement the bond of long-standing friendship and cooperation between Japan and Kenya by taking into account the Japan-Kenya Joint Statement.