By Chisomo Phiri
The new Japanese Ambassador to Malawi, Yoichi Oya on Tuesday January 17,2022 presented his letters of credence to President Lazarus Chakwera at a function held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
Speaking to the press after meeting President Chakwera, Oya said his country remains committed to continue supporting Malawi in various sectors.
” We still have a lot of interesting projects to happen in Malawi through Japanese government support,” said Oya.
On his part, President Chakwera, said
Malawi and Japan share an advantageous 50 years of development cooperation and 15 years of diplomatic ties.
The President said, based on the foregoing, his discussions with Oya were mainly guided by mutual commitment to consolidate these ties in key areas such as Education, Energy, Agriculture, Trade and Health among others.
“The new envoy has since pledged to continue cultivating good bilateral relations and opening of new opportunities for Malawi in various social and economic capacities,” said Chakwera.
The Malawi leader further disclosed that, Malawi on the other hand will offer unrelenting support to Japan’s efforts on Peace and Security as the country serves as non-permanent member at the United Nations Security Council for the next couple of years.
In her few remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, hailed Japan for the support it has been rendering to Malawi which, among others, necessitated the construction of the Blantyre-Limbe dual carriage way and Nalikule Teachers Training College.
Ambassador Oya is coming to represent his country in Malawi for the second time having worked at the Japanese Embassy in Malawi some 12 years ago.
He has succeeded ambassador Satosh Iwakiri.