Countries & Regions

On June 1, for about 15 minutes from 3:00 pm, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, President of the Republic of Togo, in Yokohama, Japan. The following is the gist of the meeting. President Gnassingbe is visiting Japan to participate in the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) held from June 1 to June 3 in Yokohama.

 

1. At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe welcomed President Gnassingbe’s visit to Japan following his visit in 2011, and expressed his intention that the two leaders would work together for the success of TICAD V, which marks the 20th anniversary of the TICAD process, hoping for development both in Africa and Japan. In response, President Gnassingbe expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm welcome. President Gnassingbe extended his condolence to the Japanese victims of the terrorism incident in Algeria. Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude to the president’s condolence. 

 

2. President Gnassingbe commended for Japan’s efforts in the reconstruction of Mali, the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region and anti-piracy activities off the coast of Somalia. He added that he supports Japan’s efforts in the areas such as counterterrorism, climate change, and peace building, and expressed his expectation for Prime Minister Abe’s visit to West Africa.

 

3. Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude to President Gnassingbe’s visit to the affected area of the Great East Japan Earthquake and his provision of assistance to the affected people during his last visit to Japan. Prime Minister Abe also stated that Japan would further strengthen the close relationship with Togo. Touching upon the signature of the document on food aid and non-project grant aid, Prime Minister Abe stated the Japan would continue to provide assistance for economic and social development in Togo. 

 

4. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe appreciated Togo’s contribution towards the realization of peace and stability in the Sahel region. 

 

5. President Gnassingbe praised so-called Abenomics and expressed his hope for the success of the policies. In response, Prime Minister Abe expressed the determination to restore a strong Japanese economy, adding his expectation that the Japan’s strong economy would bring more assistance to Togo and other African countries.