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On May 31, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada welcomed Ambassadors and Chargé d’Affaires belonging to the African Diplomatic Corps (ADC) stationed in Tokyo to DPJ party headquarters for discussions.
At the start of the meeting, Okada said, “At the beginning of May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto travelled to Africa for the TICAD IV meeting. I remember that I also visited Tanzania at around the same time last year. This year from June 3, the MDGs follow-up meeting will be held here in Tokyo, and Japan will welcome many distinguished visitors. Today, I would be please to hear your opinion about the relationship between Japan and Africa.” Okada also expressed his gratitude to the assembled Ambassadors for the various assistance provided by African nations following the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Following this, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, Stuart H. Comberbach, the Acting Dean of the ADC, gave an opening address. Comberbach said, “Allow me first of all to thank you for this timely initiative and to say how much we, the ADC, appreciate this opportunity to interact directly with you.” He went on to add, “Allow me also, on behalf of my colleagues here, and on behalf of the countries and the continent we represent, to express, once again, our heartfelt condolences and sympathy for the loss of life and devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake.”
Comberbach also commented, “We look forward to our discussion this afternoon on the relationship between Japan and Africa and on how best, under the TICAD process, that relationship can be broadened and strengthened, and can evolve, over time, into a strategic and mutually-beneficial partnership.”
The meeting was also attended by Administration Committee Chair Makoto Taki, International Department Director-General Chinami Nishimura, and International Department Vice Director-General Harunobu Yonenaga for the DPJ. Twenty-nine members of the ADC were also in attendance.
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