The President of the Republic, Mr Danny Faure received the State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr Masahisa Sato today at State House.  H.E. Mr Sato is in the country on an official visit to further consolidate and strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Seychelles and Japan.

In the meeting, President Faure extended a warm welcome to Mr Sato and his delegation and highlighted the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation that exists between Seychelles and Japan.

On behalf of the government and the People of Seychelles, President Faure thanked the Government of Japan for all the support Seychelles has received over the years in the fisheries sector.

The Head of State and Mr Sato discussed the bilateral cooperation that already exists between Seychelles and Japan including projects, the Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, where Japan is working to advance the Blue Economy and the Blue security. During the meeting, Mr Sato informed the President that Japan plans to open its Embassy in Seychelles in January 2019; an announcement which the President has welcomed and noted will serve to further deepen cooperation between Seychelles and Japan.

President Faure and Mr Sato also discussed other areas of mutual interest geared towards fostering greater bilateral relations between the two island nations including tourism, disaster preparedness and reduction, maritime security and capacity building opportunities.

Mr Sato was accompanied at State House by the Senior Regional Coordinator, Second Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr. Shuji Noguchi; Deputy Director, Second Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Hiroko Ishida; First Secretary, the Embassy of Japan in Kenya 3, CDR. Masaki Nakagome; Personal Secretary to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Isao Tezuka and Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seychelles.