The Sunday Mail
The Tokyo International Conference on Africa (TICAD) 7 Summit held in August this year, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa in attendance, spotlighted relations between Zimbabwe and Japan.
Given Japan’s status as the world’s third-largest economy after the United States and China, our Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi spoke to the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Toshiyuki Iwado, on diplomatic relations between Harare and Tokyo, as well as follow-ups on commitments made at TICAD. Below are excerpts from the interview.
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Q: Your Excellency, can you please provide an overview of Japan’s relations with Zimbabwe since the new administration came into office?
A: We have enjoyed what I would say are ordinary relations. But we are working on improving our relations. What is important is that as Japan, we have taken the position that we are not involved in the imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe. We do not have any sanctions against Zimbabwe, so that leaves room for growth in our relations.
We have created a platform for consultation with the ministries of Foreign Affairs from both countries. This year, Zimbabwe was due to visit Japan under these deliberations, but we realised that there was no need as this was achieved through the TICAD 7 Summit where our Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met President Mnangagwa. There were also several ministers from Zimbabwe. So discussions were held at the very highest level between the two countries.
Q: One of the diplomatic highlights of the year was the TICAD 7 Summit in Japan. May you explain how Zimbabwe is poised to benefit from outcomes of TICAD 7?
A: This was one of the main trade events of the year globally, and it was important to Japan that President Mnangagwa was also there for Zimbabwe.
At TICAD 7, there was a US$20 billion pledge made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The amount was at least US$20 billion, which means US$20 billion is the minimum and there is room for more. The nature of that and the difference from the previous TICAD is that at TICAD 6, hosted by Kenya in 2016, our Prime Minister pledged US$30 billion, which included ODA (Official Development Assistance) and business investment for the private sector.
This year’s pledge did not include ODA.
Q: Why was ODA excluded?
A: It was very deliberate because we are encouraging the Japanese private sector to invest in African countries. TICAD 7 was firmly focused on business. In the past it used to be focused on ODA. So that is the whole picture.
What will be coming to Zimbabwe is all about the efforts on the business side.
The Japanese government cannot direct the private sector to do this and that for that country, it is up to the individual countries to promote the investments.
Almost all Japanese investment is coming from the private sector.
How individual African countries can attract it is up to them, their policies and how attractive they are.
Q: What follow-ups have been made on some of the agreements made at TICAD?
A: During TICAD 7, ZimTrade and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase trade.
Just two weeks ago, top JETRO officials in South Africa, who covers Zimbabwe, visited Harare on a familiarisation tour.
We are aware of this country’s high potential. However, potential is not worth anything if it is not utilised.There are over 140 Japanese companies in South Africa, while Zimbabwe only has two. There used to be more than 30 companies in the past.
The Japanese companies in Africa have more than doubled in the past years, but those in Zimbabwe have not increased. That is my concern as a diplomat as I am here to promote bilateral ties between my country and Zimbabwe. We are doing our best. That is why we continue raising the concerns raised by Japanese companies.
Q: What is your assessment of the reforms being undertaken by President Mnangagwa’s administration? Have they not attracted Japanese investors?
A: Zimbabwe has made a very bold decision in terms of the reforms being implementing. They are trying to tackle their fiscal and monetary policies. These two issues are fundamental in stabilising the macro-economic situation.
But I always talk to some people in Government and those outside of Government. The decision to change the currency to a local currency is great, that is an independent decision of the Government. But the question is, have you really operationalised the interbank system?
Have they really managed the parallel market? There is also the question of corruption. Some of these areas need to be addressed. The Japanese companies are concerned by these things that I have raised.
The companies are worried about availability of foreign currency. There is no repatriation of foreign currency in this country, even though they are free to bring it.
I am raising these issues because Japanese companies that seek to invest in Zimbabwe are private companies. They are not government, so they need all the assurances first before they can invest.
Q: Tell us about your assistance to Zimbabwe in terms of development cooperation?
A: This year, we are really concerned about Zimbabwe’s food crisis. It is very serious and we recently donated US$2,7 million through the World Food Programme.
There are also many other projects such as support to Cyclone Idai victims and many more.
Today, I want to talk about the three initiatives which you have just witnessed. Japan has funded three projects to support children’s programmes.
The first donation we have made is for construction of a child protection centre in Chipinge, through Simukai Child Protection Programme.
Secondly, there is the children’s rehabilitation unit at Harare Central Hospital. lt was carried out by Harare Children’s Hospital Trust; and thirdly, environmental education at Nyarutombo Primary School in Mbire (Mashonaland Central) is being implemented by the Methodist Development and Relief Agency.
All these projects will be supported through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects or GGP.
The projects are aimed at improving the well-being of Zimbabwe’s children.
Children are the future and they are Zimbabwe’s greatest asset.
From 1980 to 2017, the summary of Japan’s assistance to Zimbabwe is US$346 million in loan aid, US$560 million in grant aid and US$172 million in technical cooperation assistance.
With regards to the recently concluded 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, I am part of the HeForShe campaign.
I stand in solidarity with men and women to create a bold, visible and united force for a gender-equal world.
