Rwandans, diplomats and Japanese government officials this week met in Tokyo to celebrate both the Independence and Liberation Day, according to a statement from the Rwandan embassy there.

The event attracted at least 150 people, including members of the Japanese private sector and academia.

The Government of Japan was represented by Hiroshi Yamamoto, the Parliamentary Secretary, among other dignitaries.

"This is an opportunity for Rwandans to reflect on their checkered  history, the challenges and struggles as well as the failures and successes encountered since independence on July 1, 1962 and to draw lessons that help us persevere on our current journey towards a brighter future for our country,” said Dr Charles Murigande, the Rwandan ambassador to Japan. 

The envoy noted that it is unfortunate that Rwanda wasted three decades during which the immediate post-independence regimes implemented sectarian and divisive policies that resulted into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He said that over the last 20 years, Rwandans have demonstrated unprecedented resilience and have registered significant progress towards building a reconciled, united, stable, peaceful, democratic and prosperous nation. 

He added that Rwanda today is also a fast developing country with sustained high economic growth and one of the best business environments in the world.

Rwanda is now a responsible global citizen contributing greatly to world peace through various UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau, Murigande told participants.

He noted that Rwanda had established and maintained excellent relations with Japan for the last 52 years.

 Amb. Murigande also used the opportunity to express Rwanda’s gratitude to Japan for its commitment towards the development of Africa in general and Rwanda in particular.

 Speaking on behalf of the Government of Japan, Yamamoto said he was impressed by Rwanda’s development during his visit last May, when he was here for the annual meetings of the African Development Bank.

 Yamamoto said that for any country to ensure sustainable growth and development, there is need to focus on women and youth empowerment, saying that Rwanda is exactly doing that. 

He particularly highlighted the empowerment of youth through what he observed at K-Lab.