Message from Ambassador Akio Egawa
January 2011
Welcome to the official website of the Embassy of Japan in Zambia!I took office as Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia in October 2010. This is my second assignment in Africa, having served with the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania some 10 years ago. Over these years, Africa has dramatically changed. Conflicts have subsided in many parts of the continent and many African countries are now recording significant economic growth. It is most gratifying to note that today Africa is viewed by the rest of the world with renewed and close interest as the continent of hope and opportunities.
Japan’s relations with Zambia started on October 24, 1964 and coincided with the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games which Japan had been privileged to host. On this day, Zambia attained independence. Consequently, the athletes from Zambia who had participated in the opening ceremony under the Northern Rhodesia flag entered the closing ceremony hoisting the new national flag of Zambia, the new nation, with the applause of the entire Tokyo Olympic Stadium.
Since then, Zambia has continued to distinguish herself as the leading flag-bearer of peace and democracy in the Southern Africa region for which I pay a high respect. It also deserves credit that Zambia’s economy has been growing at a high pace in recent years.
Japan-Zambia bilateral relations have developed into a most cordial and friendly partnership. Exchanges and contacts between our two countries have expanded in the political, economic, cultural and other fields. In 1983, then Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan paid an official visit to Zambia.
Japan has been an active supporter of the economic and social development efforts being undertaken by Zambia through development cooperation projects targeted mainly at infrastructure development, industry and investment promotion, agriculture, health and education.
Our two countries also cooperate on a multitude of global issues such as climate change in the UN and other international fora.
It is my earnest hope that Japan’s friendly and cooperative partnership with Zambia be further strengthened.
This website will provide you with updates on the activities of the Embassy of Japan in Zambia in addition to serving as gateway to facts and policies of Japan, which, I hope, will help enhance your understanding of Japan in general and Japan’s relations with Zambia in particular.
Akio Egawa,
Ambassador of Japan to Zambia
Profile of Ambassador Akio Egawa
Ambassador Egawa joined the Japanese Foreign Service in 1975. He has extensive experiences at the Tokyo headquarters of the Foreign Ministry, serving in North America, Oceania, Policy Planning and Consular bureaus. He also held directorship at the Customs Bureau of the Ministry of Finance. Ambassador Egawa’s previous oversea assignments include Embassies/Consulates in Australia, Iran, Tanzania, the Philippines and the United States. He took office as Ambassador of Japan to Zambia in October 2010. Ambassador Egawa graduated from College of Liberal Arts, the University of Tokyo (BA) and from Princeton University Graduate School (MA in international relations).
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