Tokyo

A special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid a visit to Djibouti on Dec. 19 and 20 and met with the president, prime minister and other high-ranking officials there.

During the meetings, special advisor Minoru Kihara expressed sympathy for the severe flooding the country suffered during November, as well as appreciation for Djibouti’s support for Japanese initiatives like anti-piracy operations and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Other topics discussed included maritime security, regional security cooperation, development assistance and the promotion of trade and investment.

During his stay, Kihara met with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Prime Minister Aboudoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and Aboubaker Omar Hadi, the chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority.

In addition to participating in discussions, Kihara also visited an elementary school where a Japanese disaster relief team pumped water following last month’s floods, as well as the Djibouti Coast Guard. Japan has supported the coast guard via the grant of patrol vessels and capacity building.

He also paid a visit to the Place de Tokyo, which was named by the president after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the Japan Self Defense Force facility, which is engaged in anti-piracy operations.

PanOrient News