Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > April, 2006

Japan-Botswana Summit Meeting Thursday, June 8, 2006 JAPANESE Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Festus Gontebanye Mogae, the President of the Republic of Botswana, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, President Mogae explained that as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the independence of Botswana and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Botswana he was visiting Japan to achieve closer bilateral exchanges between the two countries, and thereby, further the Japanese people's knowledge about Botswana such as through diamonds (Botswana has the largest output in the world) and tourism. President Mogae also requested Japan's continued support for the resolution of AIDS and poverty issues. In addition, President Mogae discussed that the activities of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) are very instrumental, contributing to the development of technology as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi announced that Japan will continue its cooperation. He also said that Japan will continue to promote the exchange of goods and people and that it intends to further consider assistance to Africa. Furthermore, Prime Minister Koizumi shared an episode relating to the concept of the Hideyo Noguchi Award that he announced during his recent visit to Africa, to which President Mogae expressed his support.