Press Releases

1. Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, will visit Egypt and Iraq (Erbil), from March 13 to 16.

2. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Sonoura is scheduled to attend the Egypt Economic Development Conference being held on March 14 and 15 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and present a speech confirming that Japan will strengthen public- and private-sector initiatives and contributions for Egypt’s economic development. He is also scheduled to hold meetings with Egyptian government officials. Additionally, during his visit, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Sonoura is scheduled to deliver the Cabinet decision to the Egyptian side on extending new grant aid of approximately 1.5 billion yen for the Cairo University Children Hospital.

3. Furthermore, following his visits to Baghdad and Basra in Iraq last month, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Sonoura is scheduled to hold a meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials in Erbil, Iraq on March 15. He will also inspect a refugee camp for Iraq’s internally-displaced people. The purpose of Parliamentary Vice-Minister Sonoura’s visit is to demonstrate to the KRG which stands at the front lines of the fight against terrorism Japan’s stance of unwavering support for the Middle East following the recent tragic terrorist incident regarding the murder of Japanese.