Press Releases
Japan-Gabon Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
August 21, 2025
On August 21, commencing at 5:30 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting with H.E. Mr. Regis ONANGA MAMADOU NDIAYE, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Government of the Gabonese Republic, who is visiting Japan to participate in the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). The overview of the meeting is as follows:
- At the outset, Minister IWAYA welcomed the democratic and peaceful conduct of the presidential elections following the handover of power to a civilian government in Gabon. In response, Minister Onanga Mamadou Ndiaye expressed his gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Japanese side in Yokohama, conveyed a message from President Oligi Nguema, and highly commended Japan’s efforts in TICAD to date. The Minister also stated that, building on the success of Gabon’s National Day at EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai, in July and his desire to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena.
- Minister IWAYA, mentioning support for judicial system improvements and provision of malaria testing equipment newly decided to implement, stated Japan’s intention to continue providing support tailored to Gabon's needs. Minister IWAYA also expressed his expectation for Japanese companies to expand their investment in the country and requested cooperation in further improving the business environment there. In response, Minister Onanga Mamadou Ndiaye expressed his gratitude for Japan's support to date and stated that he would like to further promote investment by Japanese companies in areas such as minerals, timber, and hydropower, and continue close cooperation in areas such as maritime law enforcement.
- In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on various regional and international challenges, including their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue, as well as the United Nations Security Council reform, and concurred in closely working together to respond.