Japan-Djibouti Relations

1. On the 19th, Mr. KIHARA paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar GUELLEH, President of Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Mr. ABOUDOULKADERr Kamil Mohamed, and had meetings with Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali YOUSSOUF, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Mr. Aboubaker Omar HADI, Chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority. In the courtesy call and meetings, he expressed his sympathy to the people of Djibouti who suffered from heavy rain and flood last November. Also he expressed appreciation for Djibouti’s continuous support to Japan’s initiatives such as free and open Indo-Pacific and anti-piracy operations. Also in the meetings, he discussed issues including maritime security, cooperation on regional peace and stability, development assistance, promotion of trade and investment among others.

2. Also on the 19th, Mr. KIHARA visited an elementary school in the capital city of Djibouti, where, the Japan Disaster Relief team which consisting of a part of Japan Self Defense Forces deployed to Djibouti for the counter-piracy operations, pumped out water in response to the flood caused by the heavy rain which hit Djibouti last November.

3. He also visited Djibouti Coast Guard, which Japan has supported through the grant of patrol vessels and capacity building, where he had a meeting with Major Mohamed ADAWA Mohamed, Second-in-Command Djibouti Coast Guard.

4. On the 20th, Mr. KIHARA visited “the Place de Tokyo,” which was named by President GUELLEH in order to demonstrate Djibouti’s solidarity with Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Mr. KIHARA also visited the facility of Japan Self Defense Force for Japan’s counter-piracy operations and encouraged the Japan Self Defense Force personnel engaging in the counter-piracy operations.