"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Japan-Madagascar Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Statement by Minister Kamikawa at the Joint Press Occasion

[Place]
[Date] April 27, 2024
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

I am honored to be the first Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan to visit Madagascar.

I just held a meeting with Foreign Minister Rasata, and we had a candid and fruitful exchange of views on bilateral cooperation between Japan and Madagascar.

I expressed my condolences for the damage caused by cyclone Gamane last month and conveyed Japan’s intention to provide part of the food aid to the affected areas in response to urgent needs.

At the meeting, I mentioned the importance of strengthening maritime connectivity, as represented by Toamasina Port supported by Japan, and we shared the recognition that, as fellow maritime states, a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law is essential.

Minister Rasata expressed her support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), proposed at the previous Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), and we confirmed that the two countries would work together.

Moreover, Madagascar is also an important partner for Japan from the perspective of economic security. We discussed the Ambatovy Nickel Project, which is the largest Japanese investment project in Africa.

Minister Rasata and I confirmed that our two countries would continue to work together to ensure the stable operation of this project, which has created local employment for approximately 9,000 people and has also been contributing to strengthening the value chain for mineral resources.

We also concurred on working together to promote economic resilience through multifaceted development leading to broad-based development and the improvement of production technology for critical minerals, by utilizing the “Co-Creation for Common Agenda Initiative” launched in the new Development Cooperation Charter.

Furthermore, I stressed the importance of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) perspectives in achieving peace, stability and prosperity in the international community, in addition to fundamental values and principles, including the rule of law and human rights. We concurred on promoting WPS together in the international community.

At the working lunch that is to follow, we will exchange views on regional affairs and cooperation in the international arena.

Additionally, I will pay a courtesy call on President Rajoelina tomorrow.

Building on this visit to Madagascar, I will collaborate closely with Madagascar towards further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena, looking ahead to the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August this year and TICAD 9 in August next year.

Thank you very much.