Top > Regional Affairs > Latin America > Japan-Donimican Republic > Visit to Japan of His Excellency Mr. Rafael Hipólito Mejía Domínguez, President of the Dominican Republic > Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp of the Dominican Republic

Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi and Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp of the Dominican Republic

On 27 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi met with Minister of Foreign Relations Hugo Tolentino Dipp, who was visiting Japan together with President Rafael Hipolito Mejia Dominguez of the Dominican Republic, at the Diet. They talked in a very friendly atmosphere and a summary of their discussions is as follows.

Prior to the meeting, a ceremony for the exchange of diplomatic notes was held by the Ministers regarding a cultural grant aid for musical instruments to be provided to the Cibao Grand Theater in the Dominican Republic.

1. (1) At the outset, Minister Tolentino expressed deep condolences on the passing of His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado. The Minister also expressed gratitude for the cultural grant aid mentioned above.

(2) Minister Kawaguchi made the following remarks.

  • Japan hopes that the abovementioned cultural grant will be effectively utilized.
  • An official decision will soon be made on the Expansion of Immunization Program for which the Dominican Republic is requesting Japan's cooperation. Moreover, consideration is underway toward the dispatch of a survey mission in the near future regarding the Plan for Sewerage Development on the Site of Former Government-Operated Farms.
  • Taking account of the increase in the GNP of the Dominican Republic, Japan will extend its assistance toward the country in the form of loan aid and technical cooperation in the future.

(3) In response, Minister Tolentino made the following remarks.

  • The assistance provided by Japan is proof that Japan understands small countries such as the Dominican Republic.
  • Although the Dominican Republic has made significant developments in recent years, it still needs international assistance to make a step forward and requires continued cooperation from Japan.
  • In light of the Japanese aid policy of "teaching how to fish rather than giving the fish," the Dominican Republic will appreciate it if Japan would continue providing its assistance along the policy.

2. (1) With regard to Japanese immigrants to the Dominican Republic, Minister Kawaguchi stated that they had been contributing to the development of the Dominican Republic, and requested that the Government of the Dominican Republic continue to provide them with thorough consideration.

(2) In response, Minister Tolentino stated that Japanese immigrants respected the society of the Dominican Republic and in return, were respected by the society, and that they had made many contributions beneficial to the Republic.

3. (1) Minister Kawaguchi expressed gratitude for the support given by the Dominican Republic in international elections at the United Nations, etc.

(2) Minister Tolentino responded as follows.

  • The Government of the Dominican Republic will continue to support Japan in international fora when requests are made promptly.
  • The Dominican Republic would like to obtain a better balance in its trade relations with Japan.
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