Press Releases

On May 9 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI attended the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of H.E. Mr. Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti, in the capital Djibouti. He also attended a lunch hosted by the government on the same day.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI paid a courtesy call on President Guelleh. He delivered a letter from Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, to President Guelleh, and extended his congratulations on President Guelleh’s re-inauguration. Furthermore, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI highly appreciated the role Djibouti plays in ensuring the freedom and safety of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, noting that Djibouti is an important partner for the promotion of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). He also expressed his intention to further develop cooperative relations across a wide range of fields, including development cooperation and security cooperation such as support for the Self-Defense Forces facility. President Guelleh expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to date and conveyed his hope for the further strengthening of bilateral relations.

On May 10 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Omar, and President of the National Assembly Dileita. They discussed further strengthening of bilateral relations, including security cooperation, economic cooperation, and business relations, while extending congratulations on President Guelleh's re-election.

On May 8 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI visited the Self-Defense Forces facility, while confirming Japan's role in contributing to the maritime security of the region.

On May 9(local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI visited the bridge currently under construction under the Grant Aid project "Project for the Construction of a Bridge on the Palmeraie Road" aimed at facilitating regional transportation, and held discussions with the contractor and consultant of the project.

During his visit, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI held a meeting with alumni of the Japanese Government Scholarship Program to exchange views on the current status and future challenges regarding the strengthening of bilateral relations.

On May 12 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI attended the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of H.E. Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, in the capital Kampala. He also attended a dinner hosted by the President Museveni on the evening of the 11th (local time), and had brief conversations with dignitaries including Hon. Mr. Henry Oryem Okello, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Relations) of Ugandan. State Minister Okello expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI paid a courtesy call on President Museveni and extended his congratulations on President Museveni’s re-inauguration. Parliamentary Vice Minister ONISHI expressed his desire to further develop friendly and cooperative relations with Uganda across a wide range of fields, including economic ties, in addition to cooperation within the framework of TICAD, as the two countries approach the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. President Museveni expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to date and conveyed his hope for increased investment from Japan. They also exchanged views on the peace and stability in the regions including the refugee support.

On May 11 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Nabbanja and expressed his desire to further develop friendly and cooperative relations with Uganda across a wide range of fields, including economic ties, in addition to cooperation within the framework of TICAD, as the two countries approach the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. Prime Minister Nabbanja expressed her gratitude for Japan’s participation in the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, and conveyed her appreciation for the strong friendly relations with Japan to date and for the support provided by Japan. They also exchanged views on improving the investment environment, as well as on the peace and stability in the regions including the refugee support.

On May 11 (local time), Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI visited the Kampala Flyover constructed under the Yen loan project “Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading Project” and the traffic control center provided under the Grant Aid project “Project for Improvement of Traffic Control in Kampala City”, through which he confirmed how these projects are contributing to the improvement of traffic congestion and the promotion of smooth and safe urban transportation.

During his visit, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI held a lunch meeting with Japanese business persons residing in Uganda and Japanese nationals involved in ODA projects to exchange views on challenges in operating business as well as future challenges in the field of development cooperation in Uganda.