Message of the Ambassador, H.E. Mr. TAKEUCHI Kazuyuki

　A little over two years have passed since I arrived in Zambia in December 2022.
 
　Last year, in 2024, Zambia celebrated its 60th anniversary of independence and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Japan. I am very honoured and pleased to be able to spend this special year here as the Japanese Ambassador. Over the past 60 years, the relationship between our two countries has continued to develop. Last year, to celebrate this memorable milestone, the Embassy was able to implement numerous projects in cooperation with various organisations in both countries including the first performance on the African continent by a Japanese Taiko drum group, in order to deepen mutual understanding and friendly relations between our two countries.
 
　Furthermore, from 3rd to 7th February this year, H.E. Hakainde HICHILEMA, President of the Republic of Zambia, made his first visit to Japan, where he paid a courtesy call on His Majesty the Emperor, visited Japanese companies in Nagoya and Kyoto and held a summit meeting with Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru. The two leaders reaffirmed that our two countries are important partners who share fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, and held productive discussions on further cooperation in various fields. The Japan-Zambia Investment Agreement was also signed during the visit. The signing of this agreement is expected to further promote the development of Zambia's investment climate and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. This presidential visit provided momentum for further strengthening bilateral relations with a view to the next 70th and even 100th anniversaries.
 
　I will continue to make further efforts to fulfill my responsibilities as Ambassador so that our two countries can move forward hand in hand toward an even brighter future.