Press Releases
Meeting between Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ONISHI and Hon. Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State in the President’s Office, Planning and Investments of the United Republic of Tanzania
September 8, 2026
On September 8, from 2:15 pm for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. ONISHI Yohei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with Hon. Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State in the President’s Office, Planning and Investments, who was visiting Japan leading a Tanzanian public-private investment mission.
- At the outset, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ONISHI noted that Japan and Tanzania had traditionally enjoyed excellent relations, and with Tanzania serving as a gateway to East Africa, Japanese companies had high expectations and strong interest in investing, and that he intended to use this visit as an opportunity to boost momentum for promoting investment.
- In response, Minister of State Mkumbo expressed his gratitude for the long-standing amicable bilateral relationship and for Japan’s development cooperation, and stated that he visited Japan for the purpose of promoting trade and investment in Tanzania, adding that he looked forward to further investment from Japanese companies into the Tanzanian market.
- In addition, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ONISHI requested that the Tanzanian side address the challenges faced by Japanese companies regarding the business environment in Tanzania, with a view to facilitating the entry of Japanese companies into the Tanzanian market. In response, Minister Mkumbo stated that he was aware of the interest and concerns of Japanese companies and that he would make every effort to improve the business environment.