November 28, 2012:
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended alongside his colleagues, Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of some 30 countries, a session organized by Nagatacho Forum.
Mr. Dan Harada, the head of Nagatacho Forum, spoke on the current political situation in Japan, paying specific attention to the upcoming general election. As the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan places the highest level of importance on its relations with Japan, Ambassador Fatimie and the Embassy in Tokyo follow closely the current campaign. Ambassador Fatimie graciously thanked Mr. Harada for the insight shared.
(photo: Mr. Dan Harada, circa September 2012)
November 22, 2012:
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie met with Hon. Vice-President Masahiko Komura of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the latter’s office.
To open, Ambassador Fatimie firstly expressed appreciation for opening time to meet in this most busy of periods. The Ambassador then offered deepest gratitude, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the generous and selfless cooperation extended by Japan. Ambassador Fatimie pointed to real betterment of lives that has resulted therein. Commending the LDP for the party’s role within, Ambassador Fatimie praised Hon. Vice-President Komura and through His Honor the leadership of His party. In turn, Hon. Vice-President Komura pledged Japan would continue its support to Afghanistan as per the mandate of the Japanese people.
Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo, was also present at the meeting.
November 7-8, 2012:
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie made an official visit to Osaka and Kyoto Prefectures, where he was honored to receive very warm welcomes and to facilitate even stronger and friendlier relations between the respective localities and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Arriving in Kyoto on November 7th, Ambassador Fatimie was extended great hospitality by Hon. Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa (pictured above) upon arriving at His Honor’s office. Similarly, the Ambassador was treated to a very warm reception by Hon. Vice-Governor Noboru Ohta (pictured below) at the latter’s office later that same day. Ambassador Fatimie in his respective meetings first and foremost expressed deepest gratitude for the collective efforts of the Government and people of Japan, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the selfless and life-bettering cooperation extended in development and peace-supporting initiatives. Kyoto has been a special partner within this, having in recent years hosted a number of Afghan-related events, including a speech by H.E. President Hamid Karzai at Doshisha University in 2010. The Ambassador made special reference to this fact, and highlighted the area’s ability to inspire in many areas, including the harmony of tradition and modernity that exists there. In response, both officials, as later would the Hon. Governor of Osaka, expressed determination to continue supporting Afghanistan, linking peace and security there to global peace and security.
On the following day, Ambassador Fatimie was extended the courtesy of a warm welcome by Hon. Governor Ichiro Matsui (pictured bottom) of Osaka. During this meeting, Ambassador Fatimie once again took the opportunity to laud Japanese assistance in development and peace in Afghanistan, offering sincerest gratitude and referring to said assistance as a key reason why Afghan men, women, and children live better and freer lives. In addition, Ambassador Fatimie praised Osaka many issues, including its ability to serve as another cultural and economic center, distinct from but in close cooperating with Tokyo.
Among the many key individuals that Ambassador Fatimie met with during this time, he wishes to extend humble appreciation and best wishes to the following: Director General Hironao Kojima, Director Hiroshi Yamaguchi, and Deputy Director Masanobu Murakami, all of the Kyoto Prefectural Government; Senior Executive Director Masayuki Kusumoto, Assitant Directors Yuji Kawatani and Hiroshi Sato, and Chief Senior Staff Yuichi Kitagawa, all of the Osaka Prefectural Government; Director Makoto Honma of the Kyoto State Guest House; Dr. Sultan Ahmad Salehi of NHK Culture Center in Kyoto; and Deputy General Manager and Ms. Hiromi Kato of Rihga Royal Hotels in Kyoto. There were a number of other very kind people that the Ambassador also sends his heart-felt appreciation to as well.
November 1, 2012:
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended a reception in honor of the anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces at Grand Hill Ichigaya in Tokyo.
At this important event, Ambassador Fatimie had the express pleasure of speaking with H.E. Mr. Satoshi Morimoto, Minister of Defense (pictured above). Ambassador Fatimie offered his sincerest congratulations on this laudable anniversary. Further, the Ambassador conveyed deepest gratitude, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the great and selfless efforts extended by Japan in the realms of peace, development, and security support, and for the role of H.E. Mr. Morimoto’s esteemed Ministry within. Also from the Ministry of Defense, Ambassador Fatimie had the honor to meet with H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Motohiro Oono. To H.E. Mr. Oono, Ambassador also expressed the sincerest of congratulations and gratitude.
The large number of important additional dignitaries that Ambassador was able to meet also included H.E. Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shuji Kira, Hon. Councillor Fumiaki Toya, and Director General Reiichiro Takahashi of the Cabinet Office’s International Peace Cooperation Headquarters. To H.E. Mr. Kira, Ambassador Fatimie spoke of the positive benefits that Afghans have seen in their lives as a result of the cooperation facilitated by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Fatimie and H.E. pledged to keep in close contact. With Hon. Councillor Toya, Ambassador Fatimie discussed the significance of the people’s support for Afghanistan as manifest through their respectable representatives, the Diet members; additionally he offered true appreciation for the relationship of support and friendship between Japanese and Afghan parliamentarians. In his talk with Director-General Takahashi, Ambassador expressed sincerest gratitude regarding the Cabinet Office’s direct role in guiding the partnership of support and cooperation with Afghanistan, under the leadership of H.E. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. Furthermore, Ambassador Fatimie lauded Director-General Takahashi’s impact in Afghanistan during his term as Japanese Ambassador to the nation.
Ambassador Fatimie was also pleased to meet with Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of a number of nations as well as such figures as Read Admiral Unio Otsuka of the JMSDF.
