Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura to the United Republic of Tanzania
(Overview and Evaluation)

January 8, 2008

1. Overview

(1) Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura visited the United Republic of Tanzania from January 4 to 6, 2008. During his visit Foreign Minister Koumura met with the President of Tanzania, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and other officials, with whom he discussed a number of issues, including bilateral relations, the situation in Kenya, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), and other multilateral issues.

(2) After meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, both sides signed two exchanges of notes on grant aid projects.

(3) The Tanzanian side was greatly pleased to welcome the first visit of a Japanese foreign minister to Tanzania in 29 years. While reiterating their deep gratitude for Japan's economic cooperation, they reaffirmed their support for Japan with regard to such issues as United Nations reform and North Korea.

(4) With regard to TICAD IV, it was reconfirmed that the President of Tanzania would attend, and that the Tanzanian side is seeking to provide its full cooperation toward the successful conference.

(5) Foreign Minister Koumura delivered, in front of a large audience, a policy speech concerning Japan-African relations and TICAD. At the same venue, he also made a statement on the situation in Kenya and made an announcement concerning a decision on humanitarian assistance.

2. Evaluation

(1) This is the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to Tanzania in 29 years and the third such visit (the last visit to Africa by the foreign minister was in 2002). This visit was made at the beginning of the year in which Japan will host TICAD IV and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, and in addition to building momentum towards these events, the visit was instrumental in underlining the priority Japan gives to African issues.

(2) A substantial exchange of opinions took place on the deterioration of the situation in Kenya, which the foreign minister was originally scheduled to visit, and a ministerial statement of Japan's concern at events in Kenya and an announcement of a decision on humanitarian assistance were made at a timely juncture.

(3) That the venue for the foreign minister's policy speech had to be changed at the last minute, to accommodate the many participants who had come to listen, is testament to the high degree of interest in and the positive feelings toward Japan. The content of the speech was also highly evaluated by the Government of Tanzania.

3. Details

(1) Foreign Minister Koumura paid a courtesy call on President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania and engaged in foreign ministerial talks with his Tanzanian counterpart Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation Bernard Kamillius Membe. Foreign Minister Koumura attended a luncheon hosted by Foreign Minister Membe and another hosted by Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing Basil P. Mramba. Talks at these events extended beyond bilateral relations, covering a broad range of topics, including the regional situation and issues facing the international community. The extremely favorable bilateral relationship between Japan and Tanzania was reaffirmed.

(2) With regard to economic cooperation, the Tanzanian side repeatedly expressed its deep appreciation for Japan's ongoing assistance in a variety of sectors including infrastructure (extending to roads and electric power), health and agriculture. Foreign Minister Koumura conveyed the message that Tanzania is one of the countries in Africa to which Japan gives top priority for assistance. With regard to future economic cooperation, the Tanzanian side pointed out that it would place particular focus on the infrastructure sector, with Foreign Minister Membe emphasizing the specific importance of the New Bagamoyo Road construction project and the Mtwara Development Corridor initiative in the south of the country. Industry, Trade and Marketing Minister Mramba also emphasized the importance of investment by Japanese companies, including Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. In addition, the president and all top officials expressed their high expectations of the very important role the industrial development advisors, scheduled to be dispatched from Japan at the end of January, would play in promoting industrialization in Tanzania. Foreign Minister Koumura emphasized that the signing of the exchange of notes on financial assistance is testament to the high evaluation by the Government of Japan of Tanzania's self-help efforts and governance.

(3) With regard to cooperation in the international arena, the Tanzanian side expressed its consistent support for Japan becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, noting that other African countries also supported this view. Furthermore, in response to a remark by President Kikwete concerning his willingness to cooperate toward a resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue, Foreign Minister Koumura also pointed out the importance of the abduction issue, for which he received the president's understanding and support.

(4) With regard to TICAD IV, President Kikwete reiterated his clear intention to attend, and stated that he would provide full cooperation in the preparation process as well. In response to a request from Foreign Minister Koumura, President Kikwete indicated his willingness to call upon other African leaders to attend TICAD IV.

(5) With regard to the situation in Kenya, President Kikwete explained that it was most important to achieve a political resolution, and that Tanzania is currently proceeding with talks with all parties from a neutral standpoint. Foreign Minister Koumura expressed his respect for the initiative taken by President Kikwete in his intermediary efforts, and indicated Japan's readiness to provide assistance.

(6) Following the foreign minister talks, Foreign Minister Koumura signed two exchanges of notes for two projects with Foreign Minister Membe, one on financial assistance through grant aid for Tanzania's National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (MKUKUTA) (630 million yen), and another for food assistance (provision of rice, 710 million yen).

(7) During the visit, Foreign Minister Koumura made a policy speech entitled "Japan and Tanzania: Partners towards a Vibrant Africa," inviting Tanzanian top officials, government officials, diplomatic corps, intellectuals and members of the press to attend. In the speech Foreign Minister Koumura explained the significance and importance of the TICAD process, referring to examples of Japan-Tanzania cooperation. He also touched upon the conceptual background to Japan's development aid philosophy and to reasons "Why Japan is involved in Africa." The speech was attended by around 250 persons, including two ministers, four vice-ministers, and the chairperson of the foreign affairs parliamentary committee.

(8) Prior to the policy speech, Foreign Minister Koumura made a statement expressing concern about the situation in Kenya, and also announced a decision to extend a total of US$200,000 through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for emergency assistance to internally displaced persons in Kenya. The Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania in attendance expressed appreciation for this assistance.

(9) In addition, Foreign Minister Koumura visited a hospital and other facilities, a road and a fish market that had been the beneficiaries of economic cooperation from Japan, and met with alumni of government-sponsored educational programs in Japan and with Japanese nationals residing in Tanzania.