2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendations
2024/8/3
On 1st August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2024, including the Judo Association of Zambia. The Association will be awarded for its contributions over the years in promoting judo in Zambia and contributing to youth development and social wellness through judo, thereby deepening mutual understanding between Japan and Zambia.
The Judo Association of Zambia was established as early as in 1971, after late Mr. MATSUSHITA Bunji, a famous Japanese Judo-ka, started teaching Judo in Zambia as a young Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in 1970. Today, the Association has 17 judo clubs throughout Zambia and actively promote judo in Zambia by, inter alia, organising 34 competitions in a year. The Association has taught judo to a cumulative total of more than 15,000 people, resulting in Zambia's excellent performances in international competitions. It has also developed activities such as “Judo for Peace” to provide judo training in refugee camps, and has made efforts to develop young people and contribute to society through judo.
With the Embassy of Japan, the Association has co-organised Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament since 1986, thereby contributing to the promotion and establishment of judo in Zambia, as well as the deepening of mutual understanding between Japan and Zambia through judo.
The Embassy of Japan expresses our warmest congratulations and thanks to the Judo Association of Zambia, as well as to all Judo-kas and Judo-lovers in Zambia!
To see the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please click here.
The Judo Association of Zambia was established as early as in 1971, after late Mr. MATSUSHITA Bunji, a famous Japanese Judo-ka, started teaching Judo in Zambia as a young Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer in 1970. Today, the Association has 17 judo clubs throughout Zambia and actively promote judo in Zambia by, inter alia, organising 34 competitions in a year. The Association has taught judo to a cumulative total of more than 15,000 people, resulting in Zambia's excellent performances in international competitions. It has also developed activities such as “Judo for Peace” to provide judo training in refugee camps, and has made efforts to develop young people and contribute to society through judo.
With the Embassy of Japan, the Association has co-organised Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament since 1986, thereby contributing to the promotion and establishment of judo in Zambia, as well as the deepening of mutual understanding between Japan and Zambia through judo.
The Embassy of Japan expresses our warmest congratulations and thanks to the Judo Association of Zambia, as well as to all Judo-kas and Judo-lovers in Zambia!
To see the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please click here.