KIGALI - THE Embassy of Japan in Rwanda on Friday evening held a reception at Hotel Des Mille Collines, Kigali to celebrate the opening of its offices in the country.

Before the opening of the resident embassy, business was handled by the Japanese Embassy in Nairobi.

Amb. Kunia Hatanaka, the Japanese envoy, said that the Japanese Embassy was officially launched in January this year and he came to Rwanda at the end of February as the first resident Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda.

"We believe that the establishment of our embassy in Kigali will contribute to strengthen the already existing friendly relations between our countries and people,” he said.

He added that his presence will enhance coordination among bilateral and multilateral donors who are passionate about the development of Rwanda.

Ambassador Hatanaka noted that the visit of many important Rwandan figures played a key role in deepening the relationship between both countries. He singled out President Paul Kagame who has visited Japan three times, as a good example.

"As for bi-lateral cooperation with Rwanda, we have been particularly active in the areas of human resource development, rural development, economic infrastructure and industrial development. It would be our utmost pleasure if we could further intensify such privileged bilateral cooperation in harmony with all the international donor community here,” he stressed.

He revealed that last year,1500 Japanese tourists visited Rwanda and that those that also travelled around other African countries often tell on their return back to Japan that Rwanda is the best among the visited countries.

Amb. Eugene Munyakayanza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, congratulated the good record Japan has had in bilateral relations between both countries.

"As the first Resident Ambassador, definitely this will be recorded as a landmark in the history of cooperation, more importantly the decision by the Japanese government to open up a resident embassy in Rwanda is a clear sign of Japanese government’s strong commitment to our country,” he noted.

He added that Rwanda values the friendship of both countries so highly and it is committed to cement it even further.

Several government officials, diplomats and members of the business community attended the function.

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