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

I am TAKEUCHI Kazuyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Zambia. It has been a little over a year since I arrived in Zambia, on 20 December 2022.
 
Here in Zambia, as in Japan, we are getting back to normal from the damage caused by COVID-19. In particular, on the economic front, we see the signs of a breakthrough in the debt problem that has hampered Zambia's growth over the last few years, and the smiles on people's faces seem to be clearing up.
 
Zambia is one of the most important countries in the African continent in various aspects. The “New Dawn” Government, which was brought to power democratically through the general elections held in August 2021, is pushing ahead with various policies, backed by public support, to make Zambia the real “beacon of hope in Africa” as it is called. The year 2024, which marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Zambia, also marks the 60th anniversary of Zambia's independence. Our relationship, which began during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, has steadily developed since then, and we are now partners that work together for shared universal values.
 
I am quite eager to cast everything I have with me to take these bilateral relations to a new and higher stage in various aspects, including by fostering our longstanding cooperation in infrastructure, health, agriculture, education and human resource development. We would further consolidate the mutual trust between Japan and Zambia.
 
As I have been working to fulfil my responsibilities as Ambassador over the past year, I have also come to see my own way forward. I will do my utmost to make our two countries move further forward hand in hand on this 60-year milestone.