Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: The North African ambassadors of Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritania, Tunisia and Libya based in Japan visited the Iwate Prefecture’s “Antenna Shop” in Tokyo, where over 3,000 products of the prefecture, including handcrafts and agricultural products, were displayed.

Foreign Ministry and Iwate government officials welcomed the ambassadors and expressed the hope they could promote trade and exchanges between Japan and their countries as well as conduct outreach programs and promote tourism to Iwate.

Governor of Iwate, Takuya Tasso, acknowledged in his message the North African countries’ support of Iwate in its post-tsunami reconstruction efforts while looking forward to further mutual cooperation using the opportunity of the upcoming Olympics and Host Town Initiative.

The Ambassador of Algeria, Mohamed Bencherif, on behalf of the North African Ambassadors, pointed out at the meeting that North Africa historically and culturally belongs to three cultural areas: Arab-Muslim, African and Mediterranean. He added that it is also located in a geostrategic location with great economic potential given the abundant natural resources, diversified resources and a young, highly educated population.

The Ambassador added this visit serves as the starting point for dynamic, rich and diversified cooperation between North African countries and Iwate Prefecture.

Ambassador Katsuhiko Takahashi, Assistant Minister and Director-General of the Middle East and African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, who spoke in Arabic, also participated in the event. He expressed his pleasure at the visit of the North African Ambassadors, especially coming before the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake of 2011 that caused suffering to the region. .

Ambassador Takahashi also pointed out that when the Foreign Ministry organized a similar event previously, all ambassadors attended. Being from Iwate, it gave him a sense of pride to see the interest the ambassadors have in his Prefecture. He also expressed his appreciation for reconstruction support received from the North African countries.    

Other representatives of the prefecture included Mitsuhiro Watanabe, Secretary-General of Iwate Industries Association in Tokyo, who extended a welcome on behalf of the 400 members of the Association active in Tokyo and conveyed the readiness of the Association to enhance relations with North African countries given the leading position that the Prefecture enjoys in such fields as automation and other industries.

For his part, Yoshiyuki Aso, director of Morioka City’s Tokyo office, mentioned the beauty of the prefecture, with its abundant greenery, clear waters and historical sites as a befitting tourist destination while inviting the Ambassadors to visit Iwate, which will host more than 20 teams in the upcoming Olympics.

The Ambassador of Morocco, Rachad Bouhlal, who has visited over 22 prefectures in Japan, expressed his strong interest to visit Iwate and  commended the efforts undertaken by the prefecture in combating the spread of COVID-19. Iwate, just like Morocco, the Ambassador noted, had two important sectors, agriculture, and fisheries, which presented an opportunity to cooperate in these pivotal fields.

The Ambassador of Egypt, Aymen Kamel, proposed the setting up of a joint exhibition by North African countries in Iwate Prefecture in due course as an opportunity to become more familiar with each other.

El Hacen Eleyatt, Ambassador of Mauritania, similarly appreciated the opportunity to know more about Iwate, especially that the Prefecture is known for high quality agricultural produce. He expressed interest in visiting Iwate to establish relations of mutual benefit.

Tunisian Ambassador, Mohamed Elloumi, expressed his intention to examine with Iwate Officials means and ways to initiate and develop further cooperation in any sector of common interest, including people-to-people exchanges, culture, knowledge, business and other areas.

The Charge d’Affaires of Libya, Dr. Ahmed Naili, highlighted the fact that decades ago, the son of Iwate, Oshima Takato visited Egypt on the way back from Europe. Now, Ambassador Takahashi of Iwate, leads Japan’s North African policy within the Foreign Ministry of Japan. Therefore, the relationship between North Africa, Iwate and Japan has a familiar basis and can be developed further with the support of all present for mutual beneficial relations. 

After the meeting, the group visited the Iwate Prefecture Antenna Shop during which time a brief explanation was given about the products on display and the outreach programs that the Antenna Shop is undertaking to familiarize Tokyo residents with the splendours of the Prefecture. 

The Antenna Shops of Iwate and other prefectures are established in Tokyo and tasked with acting as the gateway of the Prefectures by promoting tourism, exhibiting, and promoting products, including agricultural produce.

The shops often holds seminars and workshops and other outreach activities as part of these efforts.  

The North African Ambassadors told Arab News Japan this visit was part of their collective diplomacy to hold future joint initiatives to engage with Japanese governmental entities and other stakeholders to further promote cooperation.