Two Japanese MPs visits Rwanda (July 19-21, 2017)

　Two members of parliament (MPs) of Japan, Mr. Asahiko Mihara, acting President of the Japan-AU Parliamentary Friendship League, and Dr. Daishiro Yamagiwa, Director General of the Japan-AU Parliamentary Friendship League, visited Rwanda from July 19 to 21, 2017.

　On July 19, the MPs with Ambassador Miyashita paid a courtesy call on Hon. Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, asking for Rwanda’s support to Japan’s bid to host International Expo 2025 in Osaka, and exchanging views on the Japan-Rwanda relation.

　On the next day, they attended the inauguration ceremony of the Japanese grant aid “Project on Rural Water Supply (Phase 3)” in Gatsibo together with Ambassador Miyashita and Hon. Kamayirese, Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water. Ambassador Miyashita and Minister Kamayirese made official remarks on behalf of their respective Governments, while Mr. Mihara congratulated on the inauguration of water supply facilities and expressed his hope that this project contributes to further progress of the friendship between the two countries. On their way back to Kigali, they met JICA volunteers in Eastern Province and gave them encouragement at Rwamagana.

　On the last day, MPs attended Youth Connekt Africa Summit in which more than 2,800 delegates from 90 countries participated. They visited the booths of Japanese IT companies, and had talks with high-level officials including the Director-General of SDGs Center for Africa. Before leaving Kigali, they met young Japanese entrepreneurs and discuss their business in Rwanda at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan.