Japan-Kenya Relations

On August 28, for about 25 minutes, from 4:37 p.m., Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, in Yokoyama, Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows. President Kenyatta is visiting Japan to participate in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) held from August 28 to 30. 

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Abe stated, “Thank you President Kenyatta for Your Excellency’s leadership that led to the success of TICADVI. We expect Your Excellency’s leadership in TICAD7 as well. In Kenya, there are 150 participants in ABE initiative, which accounts for the largest number within the African continent. It is Japan’s interest to see Kenya continue to be the core of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.” In response, President Kenyatta stated, “Holding of TICADVI in Kenya based on African ownership was highly significant for both relations of the two countries and Japan-Africa relations.” In addition, President Kenyatta commended Japan’s effort for industrial human resources development through ABE initiative. 
    
2. Following that, Prime Minister Abe recognized President Kenyatta’s leadership at the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference held last November, and expressed his desire to cooperate with Kenya to ensure a free and open Indian Ocean. Prime Minister Abe expressed Japan’s intention to support regional development in Mombasa through the development of Mombasa Special Economic Zone and construction of Mombasa Gate Bridge. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would like to assist promotion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through policy support in health sector and the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative. In response, President Kenyatta thanked Japan for its assistance in such fields as Universal Health Coverage (UHC), governance, and blue economy. President Kenyatta also expressed his desire to enhance cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment. 
    
3. The two leaders also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including UN Security Council reform, and the North Korea situation.