Message from Ambassador MAEKAWA Nobutaka
2025/12/1
Greetings from Ambassador-designate MAEKAWA Nobutaka
It is my great honour and privilege to be appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Zimbabwe. I arrived in Harare on 24 November, 2025.
This is my second posting to Southern Africa, following my previous assignment in Zambia.
I understand that Zimbabwe is now earnestly striving to rebuild its society and economy.
Japan has consistently deepened friendly relations and cooperation with the Republic of Zimbabwe since its independence. To support Zimbabwe's economic and social development, Japan resumed its development cooperation after 2010. The Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) are providing support across various fields.
This year presented a favourable opportunity with large-scale international conferences and events including the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai and TICAD 9. H.E. President Mnangagwa visited Japan twice, followed by the visits of Vice President Hon. Mohadi and the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Mudenda, deepening exchanges with then Prime Minister ISHIBA and Speaker of the House of Representatives NUKAGA. There were high expectations for promoting business cooperation to fostering friendly cooperation with Japan and, particularly, to address Zimbabwe's social and economic challenges.
Although Zimbabwe still faces economic challenges, the country is expected to have sufficient potential for future economic and social redevelopment, thanks to its blessed climate and abundant nature, agriculture wealth, mineral resources, and skilled human resources cultivated by its established educational standards, which were the foundation for its significant economic bloom immediately after independence. Zimbabwe is also rich in tourism resources such as Victoria Falls, one of the world's three greatest waterfalls, and the Great Zimbabwe ruins. I shall prioritize Zimbabwe's development by leveraging its reputation for honesty and diligence, promoting friendly relations with Japan and ensuring the safety of Japanese people. I will dedicate myself to supporting Japanese companies and advancing exchanges and cooperation across diverse fields from economics and business to sports, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, fostering the progression of relations between our two countries.
I am also looking forward to experiencing the comfortable climate and abundant nature of Southern Africa, as well as the daily lives and cultures of the people of Zimbabwe.
I look forward to working with you.