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[Provisional Translation]

On August 27 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was visiting Nairobi in the Republic of Kenya to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), attended the TICAD VI opening session, and then held meetings with S.E.M. Rakotoarimanana Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina, President of the Republic of Madagascar, and H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, respectively.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe attended a workshop held by the STS forum, and participated in a commemorative photograph session with other leaders of countries participating in the TICAD meeting. Following that, he visited the Japan-Africa EXPO.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Abe attended the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) Seminar on Agriculture.

Later, in the evening, the Prime Minister attended a reception hosted by the Japanese Government, and then hosted a working dinner, to which he invited countries from western and northern Africa.

At the reception hosted by the Japanese Government, the Prime Minister said,

“Your Excellencies, representatives from international organizations, ladies and gentlemen, I want to extend my heartfelt welcome as the representative of the Japanese Government and Japanese people to TICAD VI.

Today, we are joined by people from civil society who have been constantly supporting the progress of the TICAD process, members of the Japanese Diet, including Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, President of the Japan-African Union Friendship League, and members of the Self-Defense Forces who are working hard here as a part of PKO forces and for training in order to support peace and stability in Africa.

We will have performances by Taiko drummers and a dance from the Ashinaga Uganda Terakoya Kids, who are supported by ASHINAGA, which is led by its President and Founder Yoshiomi Tamai, who was the second Japanese person to receive the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal.

In addition, Japanese kimonos made using African fabric are on display around this venue. In the field of culture as well, I hope to further strengthen Japan-Africa bonds.

I hope that everyone will greatly enjoy the Japanese food served here tonight. Japanese food is called ‘washoku,’ in Japanese, a combination of the characters ‘wa,’ which means ‘harmony’ and is also used to refer to Japan, and ‘shoku,’ which means ‘food.’ ‘Wa’ also has the meaning of ‘bringing people together,’ as well as the meaning of ‘to feel calm.’

I hope that through this reception tonight, everyone here will renew their conviction to come together as one under the spirit of ‘wa’ and move forward together with Africa.”