Zim, Japan commit to strengthening ties

JAPANESE Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Toshiyuki Iwado paid a courtesy call on Vice President Kembo Mohadi yesterday to discuss how to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the meeting that was held at the VP’s Munhumutapa offices in Harare, Ambassador Iwado pledged continued support for Zimbabwe through completing developmental projects that were underway.

“We discussed how we can strengthen relations between Zimbabwe and Japan,” he said. “This was my first time to meet Vice President Mohadi after his appointment.

“We will continue supporting Zimbabwe and work towards completing the projects we have already started.”

VP Mohadi said the discussions were fruitful.

“We discussed Japan’s support in the areas of agriculture, education and disaster management,” he said. “The Japanese are very strong on that and they are assisting us a great deal.

“I also commended them for their projects of food security in Chiredzi. They are providing food to the people and assisting them to grow their own for sustenance.”

VP Mohadi said he asked the Japanese to assist in providing technical training.

“I asked them to assist in providing short technical courses to our people and to consider Zimbabweans in scholarships through the Abe Initiative,” he said. Japan has committed $15 million for the development of Nyakomba Irrigation Scheme in Nyanga and work has since started.

The Asian country is also working on repairing the Chirundu-Karoi Road, which was in a bad state.

The road works, according to Ambassador Iwado, would cost several millions of dollars.

Japan has also constructed school blocks in the Midlands province.