15/03/2013 Ambassador Fatimie makes official visit to Aichi prefecture, Nagoya city, meets with Hon. Gov. Ohmura, Hon. Mayor Kawamura

March 15, 2013: 
Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie made the first official visit to Aichi prefecture by an Afghan Ambassador to Japan. An important partner in Afghanistan’s development both on a people to people level and a Government to Government level, as well as its special role as the prefecture possessing Japan’s 3rd largest GDP, this visit was highly significant.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie firstly was extended an extremely warm welcome from Hon. Mayor Takashi Kawamura of Nagoya (pictured above and below) at His office. Ambassador Fatimie firstly expressed deepest gratitude, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the enlightened and impact-generating support that Japan, and within this Nagoya, has provided to a fully-inclusive assortment of socio-economic areas and to the peace process. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed that these contributions by Japan have led to true positive results in terms of life expectancy, quality of life, and freedoms. Hon. Mayor Kawamura kindly replied that he was indeed happy to have received the Ambassador and extended cordialities. The two then spoke about a number of issues of mutual interest, including the vast resource reserves in Afghanistan and its openness to investment. Also in attendance at the meeting were Director-General Kenji Kuzusako and Deputy Director-General Yoshihiko Niwa of the Office of the Mayor, and Director Toshimitsu Miyajima and Chief Liasons Officer Toshiko Funhashi of the International Relations Division.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was then received very cordially by Hon. Governor Hideaki Ohmura (pictured top and bottom) at the Aichi prefectural offices. Ambassador Fatimie had the pleasure of also being able to express to His Honor sincerest appreciation, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the selfless and life-bettering partnership extended by Japan and Aichi prefecture in specific. Speaking on the areas of health, agriculture, education, peace, and other socio-economic areas, the Ambassador mentioned that all have benefitted from Japanese efforts and that the scope of progress is only possible through this partnership. The Hon. Governor in turn expressed pleasure over the visit, stating that He fondly recalls H.M. Prince Mostapha Zaher’s visit to Aichi as well in 2010. The two then continued friendly discussions on a number of issues, including Afghanistan’s wealth of natural resources and possibilities for international development. The meeting was also attended by Executive Director for International Relations Toyosaburo Koyama, Director Tominori Kato and Assistant Director Tsutomu Asada of the International Affairs Division, and Director-General Masato Kondo of the Department of Regional Development and International Affairs.