Japan-Zambia Relations
Foreign Ministers Hayashi’s Meeting with Hon. Dr. Situmbeko MUSOKOTWANE, Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning
August 28, 2022
On August 28, commencing at 11:55 a.m. (local time; same day, 07:55 p.m. JST) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan who is visiting Tunisia to attend the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 8), held a meeting with Hon. Dr. Situmbeko MUSOKOTWANE, Minister of Finance and National Planning of the Republic of Zambia. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi expressed his gratitude for Minister Musokotwane’s participation in TICAD8 and also stated that he is encouraged by the peaceful and democratic transition of power following the elections last August. Commending Zambia’s efforts to advance discussions on debt restructuring, Minister Hayashi stated that he hopes to support Zambia’s efforts. Furthermore, Minister Hayashi also expressed his appreciation for Zambia’s initiatives to eliminate corruption and to shift the country’s economy away from dependence on mineral resources and stated that he looks forward to further deepening business relations with Zambia and promoting cooperation in the area of mineral resources. In response, Minister Musokotwane stated that TICAD has produced concrete results and that he expects further investment from Japan, including in mineral resources. The both sides then confirmed to work for further development of bilateral relations based on the outcome of TICAD 8.
- Minister Hayashi then stated that it is essential for the international community to cooperate in its response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and that Japan intends to continue contributing to strengthening food security in Africa. Minister Musokotwane stated that he appreciates the support from Japan. Minister Hayashi also raised the importance of transparency and fairness of development finance and the two sides confirmed to cooperate with each other.
- Furthermore, the two sides shared the view to continue to work together in responding to regional and international issues, such as North Korea, including on the nuclear, missile, and abductions issues and strengthening of the functions of the United Nations as a whole, including the Security Council reform. They also confirmed to coordinate to maintain and strengthen the NPT regime following the recent NPT Review Conference.