For the first time since establishing diplomatic ties at ambassadorial level in 1962, the first Liberia-Japan Political Dialogue has successfully taken place between officials of both nations.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, among cardinal issues discussed during the one-day Dialogue were political and security situation in Liberia, specifically UNMIL draw-down; post-Ebola stabilization & economic recovery plan, including health, infrastructure, agriculture and education; and cooperation on international affairs.

The Dialogue was held in the C. Cecil Dennis Hall of the Foreign Ministry.

The Liberian Delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and included Liberia’s Ambassador to Japan, Ms. Youngor S. Telewoda, Justice Minister Benedict F. Sannoh, Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly, Commerce & Industry Minister Axel Addy, Public Works Minister W. Gyude Moore, Health Minister Dr. Bernice Dahn, Education Minister George K. Warner, Lands, Mines & Energy Minister Patrick Sendolo, Deputy Finance & Development Planning Minister Dr. Mounir Siaplay and Deputy Agriculture Minister Dr. Charles N. McClain.

The Japanese side was headed by H.E. Amb. Norio Maruyama, Director General for African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, and included JapaneseAmbassador to Liberia, H. E. Kaoru Yoshimura, Dr. Higuchi Yoshihiki, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Ghana, Ms. Miwako Shino, an official from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Mr. Toshihisa Hasegawa, Senior Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Michiko Yokoyama, a representative from JICA Office-Liberia.

The trip of Amb. Maruyama and delegation to Liberia is in fulfillment of the solemn pledge made by both Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during her recent visit to Japan to attend the WAW! 2015, to hold a political dialogue to further strengthen the bilateral ties and economic cooperation between Liberia and Japan, and to follow-up on tangible issues laid down in the Japan-Liberia Joint Statement.

Before the Dialogue had begun Monday, September 7, between both delegations, Amb. Maruyama paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Ngafuan in his fourth floor office of the Foreign Ministry. Discussions between Amb.Maruyama and Foreign Minister Ngafuan centered around further strengthening of bilateral relations between both nations.

During the Dialogue, Minister Ngafuan laying the basis for the discussion, specifically wanted the discussions to place more emphasis on the nation’s post-Ebola recovery plan; adding: “One of the things we will delve into in these dialogues today will be the post-Ebola plan. It’s a 10-year Health Plan and where we are, funding gap, emphasis and challenges — because we are trying to encourage a multi-partner approach as Government does its best to intervene, partners would be encouraged to align around the Plan.”

Responding to each of the points that had been mentioned by Minister Ngafuan, Director General Maruyama promised to support vocational education, through JICA. Speaking on support to the health sector, he said Japan will do all to help Liberia fight Ebola or any other outbreak with high technology. He also stated that they will provide support to mobile clinic system and will provide additional ambulances, among others.

Ambassador Maruyama also mentioned that they are going to also provide support in these areas: infrastructure, agriculture, UNMIL draw-down and international cooperation.

At the end of the Dialogue, Ambassador Maruyama and delegation also paid a courtesy call on President Sirleaf. During discussions with him, the President emphasized that Japan’s continuous assistance to Liberia, especially during this period when Liberians emerges from months of scourging health crisis, is indeed vital to the strengthening and consolidation of relations between both nations.

The Liberian Leader also extolled the Government of Japan for the continuous grant assistance which is monetized to fund important socio-economic projects with significant impacts on the lives of the people of Liberia.

The Foreign Ministry release further stated that the Japan’s continued donation has funded important projects across several sectors including, storage facilities for agriculture products, expansion of rice production, promotion of small and medium enterprises to increase local participation, institutional and human resource development, and community infrastructures such as roads and bridges.

Liberia-Japan relations predate the establishment of official diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level in 1962.  Liberia and Japan signed a Peace Treaty in 1952 as an antecedent to the long historic and deep-rooted friendship characterized by cordiality, mutual respect and the exchange of high level visits between the two countries.

Over the years, Japan has made enormous financial and material contributions to Liberia amounting to several hundred million United States Dollars.  Following the end of the 14-year Liberian civil war, Japan has been committed to the rebuilding of communities through disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) program for children associated with the warring factions.

From the 1970s to 1990s, within the context of the JICA, Japan granted training opportunities to more than 232 Liberians to pursue specialized studies at various Japanese colleges and universities.

From 1979 to 1990, Japan deployed more than 170 young Japanese volunteers to Liberia under Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) Program, to provide technical assistance in the area of Science, Math, Agriculture, Auto Maintenance and Maternal Health Care. 

In 1981 Japan, under its JICA program, contributed 7.1 Billion Yen (about US$71.3 million) in grant aid and technical assistance to Liberia to support the following projects: the construction of the Liberia-Japanese Friendship Maternity Hospital at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center; educational television broadcasting network; and electrical power supply to Monrovia.

Liberia-Japan relations predate the establishment of official diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level in 1962.  Liberia and Japan signed a Peace Treaty in 1952 as an antecedent to the long historic and deep-rooted friendship characterized by cordiality, mutual respect and the exchange of high level visits between the two countries.