2017.28.01 College Exchange Meeting Reception for Chukyo University Alumni.

College Exchange Meeting Reception for Chukyo University Alumni.

January 28, 2017: It was a pleasure for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., to attend the reception celebration of Alumni of Chukyo University in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. Dr. Mohabbat himself is an alumnus of Chukyo University and was invited to the reception and asked to present a speech.

Chukyo Univeristy celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2014. Although the university was established with only one department of Commerce, it is a comprehensive Univeristy today, with 11 undergraduate departments and 11 graduate level research courses, including professional schools of law and business.

While at the event, Dr. Mohabbat met and spoke with Dr. Kiyohide Umemura, Chancellor Chairman, Prof. Hitoshi Yasumura, President, and Mr. Akihiko Kimura. He extended his thanks to these gentlemen for hosting the event and for inviting him to speak. He also thanked them for the care extended to him during his time as a student at the university, when he was the first foreign student of the university. In return they thanked him for his attendance and for giving his remarks to the guests. Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of speaking with many of his fellow alumni of the university who were in attendance at the event.

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2017.27.01 Attendance at Briefing on Japan’s Economic Partnership Strategy.

Attendance at Briefing on Japan’s Economic Partnership Strategy.

January 27, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., and Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary, had the pleasure in attending the Foreign Press Center of Japan’s briefing on “Japan’s Economic Partnership Strategy in 2017”. The guest speaker for the event was Prof. Yorizumi Watanabe, Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University. Prof. Watanabe has significant experience with economic partnership agreements from his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international organizations. He addressed the questions of what strategy the administration of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which has set the economy as its highest priority, will take moving forward on economic partnerships in light of several global changes which impact global economies.

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2017.26.01 Attendance at ‘Tokyo Ambassadors Night’ Hosted by H.E. Ms. Koike, Governor of Tokyo.

Attendance at ‘Tokyo Ambassadors Night’ Hosted by H.E. Ms. Koike, Governor of Tokyo.

January 26, 2017: It was an honor for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., to attend the evening reception entitled “Tokyo Ambassadors Night” hosted by H.E. Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel.

This evening was an event to honor all of the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission in Tokyo. They were also able to meet, network further, and learn about the many wonders of Tokyo. Also they were treated to displays showing aspects of Japanese culture, like the traditional art of folding cloth called furoshiki.

Dr. Mohabbat was fortunate to meet and speak with H.E. Governor Ms. Koike, to whom he expressed his profound thanks for hosting this event as well as for the tireless dedication and benevolence Japan has shown to Afghanistan over the years in its reconstruction process. In return, H.E. Ms. Koike thanked Dr. Mohabbat for attending the event and reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining and furthering the bilateral relationship. Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of speaking with a long friend and proponent of Afghanistan, Mr. Yuji Fujita, Director General for the Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government with whom he expressed his thanks for the latter’s support of Afghanistan over the years and discussed topics of mutual interest.

Through the course of the evening, Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of also meeting and speaking with several of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors with missions in Japan, all of whom he greeted warmly and discussed topics of mutual interest.

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2017.26.01 Attendance at the Official Welcoming for Ambassador of Hungary.

Attendance at the Official Welcoming for Ambassador of Hungary.

January 26, 2017: It was an honor for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., to attend the reception celebration to welcome the Embassy of Hungary’s new Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Norbert Palanovics.

Dr, Mohabbat complimented H.E. Dr. Palanovics on his new post and expressed his wishes for H.E.’s success and prosperity during his tenure as Ambassador. Dr. Mohabbat also thanked him for the Republic of Hungary’s key and selfless contributions to Afghanistan’s peace efforts over the years, and expressed his hopes for continued friendly bilateral relationships which will strengthen and grow. Dr. Mohabbat also met with other dignitaries and guests at the reception with whom he spoke about many topics of mutual interest.

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2017.26.01 Attendance at the 68th Republic Day of India Celebration.

Attendance at the 68th Republic Day of India Celebration.

January 26, 2017: It was a privilege for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., to attend the reception celebration in honor of the 68th Republic Day of India. There he met with H.E. Mr. Sujan R. Chinoy, Ambassador of the Republic of India. Dr. Mohabbat congratulated him on the occasion of India’s Republic Day and thanked H.E. Ambassador Mr. Chinoy not only for hosting the auspicious event but also passed on his best wishes for India's future peace and prosperity. Further Dr. Mohabbat thanked H.E. Mr. Chinoy for India’s generous support to Afghanistan over the years, wishing for continued close bilateral relations. In return, H.E. Mr. Chinoy thanked Dr. Mohabbat for his attendance and his wishes for continued friendship between Afghanistan and India.

Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of meeting once again with a great proponent of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, President of the New Komeito Party. He also met and spoke again with Hon. Mr. Hiroyuki Hosoda, Chairman of the General Council of the LDP; and H.E. Mr. Kaoru Shimazaki, Chief of Protocol for Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Japan. Through the course of the event, Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of also meeting and speaking with several of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors and Heads of Missions in Japan, diplomats, and other dignitaries, all of whom he greeted warmly and discussed topics of mutual interest.

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2017.25.01 Meeting with Messrs. Sugihara and Watanabe Of Junior Chamber International.

Meeting with Messrs. Sugihara and Watanabe Of Junior Chamber International.

January 25, 2017: It was a pleasure for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to receive guest representatives from Junior Commerce International here at the embassy. Dr. Mohabbat along with Ms. Allyson Diaz, Public Relations Officer, and Ms. Namie Imanishi, Commercial & Economic Assistant, welcomed Mr. Naosuke Sugihara, Chairperson of International Affairs Commission of JCI, and Mr. Manabu Watanabe, Chairman of International City Promotion Commission, for a meeting to discuss the Embassy’s participation in an event they are hosting on April 27 this year. This event draws approximately 375 guests and is meant to promote international exchange. At this year’s event, they will have 10 speakers from embassies with a mission in Minato city, Tokyo who they would like to speak about interesting facets of their representative national culture.

JCI has about 600 members in Tokyo, 40,000 in Japan, and 160,000 around the world. JCI Tokyo has been holding this event on a regular basis for several years to showcase Tokyo as an international city of “wa” (a Japanese word meaning meaning Japanese style, peace, conformity, balance, etc.) to serve as an example for the world. Dr. Mohabbat agreed to be one of the guest speakers at the event and give a brief talk about Afghan culture. Messrs. Sugihara and Watanabe were themselves particularly interested in what has made hospitality a key component in Afghan culture, how many Afghans live in Tokyo, and which sports are most popular in Afghanistan.

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2017.24.01 ECO Dinner at H.E. Pakistan Ambassador's residence with Madam.

ECO Dinner at H.E. Pakistan Ambassador's residence with Madam.

January 24, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., with his wife, attended the friendly dinner gathering of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member countries' Ambassadors, invited by H.E. Mr. Farukh Amil, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at his residence. Ambassadors from the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Kazakhstan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Turkey, and the Republic of Uzbekistan were all in attendance.

The sociable gathering was held for the ECO members on missions in Japan to build amiable networking, which gave all present mutual understanding. At the conclusion of the dinner, all of the members agreed to continue having gatherings such as this in to the future.

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2017.20.01 Opening of the 193rd Diet

Opening of the 193rd Diet

January 20, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., and Mr. Abdulzaman Akbari, Third Secretary, attended the Opening of the 193rd Diet of Japan in the Chamber of Councillors of the National Diet.The ceremony was held in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor who delivered a speech to members of the both Houses. His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also delivered a speech, and additionally the Speaker of the House of Representatives spoke, as is customary during the opening ceremony.

Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of greeting many of the Ambassadors and Diplomats who were in attendance, including H.E. Mr. Hisao Nishimaki, Director for Foreign Affairs Division of the International Affairs Department of the House of Representatives, who he thanked for Japan’s continuous support of Afghanistan over the past years in its endeavors to rebuild and attain peace. He also spoke with several of the other dignitaries there with whom many topics of mutual interest were discussed.

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2017.18.01 ttendance at the MOFA Training Seminar

Attendance at the MOFA Training Seminar

January 18, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Minister-Counsellor currently Charge d’Affaires a.i., attended a networking reception, hosted by MOFA, aimed at providing the officials of local governments and diplomats an opportunity to build networks in order to promote dialogue and exchanges.

The event was hosted by H.E. Mr. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Deputy Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was attended by members of several local government institutions and diplomatic missions in Japan. Dr. Mohabbat was pleased to witness the continuing engagement of members of the civil service industry, and expressed his wish for the organization of similar events in the future.

During the course of the reception, Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of meeting and speaking in person with H.E. Deputy Vice-Minster Mr. Yamazaki to whom he expressed his thanks for the invitation to this event as well as for Japan’s invaluable support to Afghanistan in its restoration process over the past years. In return, H.E. Mr. Yamazaki thanked Dr. Mohabbat from his attendance and reaffirmed Japan’s promise to continue its support of Afghanistan. Dr. Mohabbat also spoke with Mr. Yuchio Hanyu, Director for the Secretariat of the Headquarters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with whom he exchanged greeting and wished a very successful period leading up to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also met again with H.E. Mr. Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan with whom he exchanged greetings and discussed several topics of mutual interest.

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2017.18.01 Condolence Book Opened for the Victims of Terrorist Attacks in Kabul, Kandahar, and Helmand.

Condolence Book Opened for the Victims of Terrorist Attacks in Kabul, Kandahar, and Helmand.

January 17-18, 2017: A condolence book was opened at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to honor the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attacks in Kandahar which took the lives of twelve people including two Afghan Parliamentary members, the Vice Governor of the province, two officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, as well as five senior, distinguished diplomats from our close brother and friendly country of the United Arab Emirates; in Kabul which took thirty eight lives of many innocent civilians; as well as in Helmand where other precious lives were lost.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan issued two days of public mourning. Therefore the condolence book signing took place at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., Mr. Ahmad Ghafoori, First Secretary ; Mr. Basir Hamdard, First Secretary; Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary; and Mr. Abdulzaman Akbari Third Secretary were in attendance to receive the many honorable persons on this occasion, expressing sincerest gratitude, on behalf of the people and the Government, for their respective condolences.

Signatories included H.E. Mr. Tsukasa Uemura, Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of MOFA Japan; Hon. Mr. Masaru Harada, Senior Protocol Coordinator for the Protocol Office of MOFA Japan; several T.E. the Ambassadors and heads of missions and diplomats with missions in Japan.

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2017.18.01 Attending Memorial Lunch in Honor of the Brother of H.E. Mr. Elyasov's, Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Tokyo

Attending Memorial Lunch in Honor of the Brother of H.E. Mr. Elyasov's, Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Tokyo

January 18, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, attended a lunch hosted by H.E. Mr. G. Elysaov, Ambassador of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Tokyo. The lunch was in honor and memory of H.E. Mr. Elysaov’s younger brother who recently passed away.

The lunch meeting was attended by around 40 diplomats from missions around Tokyo, who offered their personal condolences for H.E. Mr. Elyasov’s great loss. Dr. Mohabbat also expressed his sincerest sympathy for the loss of H.E. Mr. Elyasov and his entire family.

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2017.17.01 Dr. Mohabbat Visits the Embassy of Kyrgyz for Condolence Book Signing

Dr. Mohabbat Visits the Embassy of Kyrgyz for Condolence Book Signing

January 17, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat visited the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Tokyo to express, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, his heartfelt condolences for the victims of the airplane tragedy, that has taken away the precious lives of at least37 people. Dr. Mohabbat had the honor of being received and warmly welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Mr. Chingiz Aidarbekov of Kyrgyz, to sign the condolence book. Dr. Mohabbat expressed to H.E. Mr. Aidarbekov the deep sorrow, and iterated that Afghanistan stands in solidarity with Kyrgyz, a dear friend of Afghanistan, who stands together with them against any kind of terrorism.

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2017.16.01 Attendance at the Reception for the Primary Course of the Global Peacebuilders Program.

Attendance at the Reception for the Primary Course of the Global Peacebuilders Program.

January 16, 2017: It was a pleasure for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., and Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary and Cultural Affairs Officer for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan to attend the reception for the Primary Course of the Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development (Global Peacebuilders Program) commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Dr. Mohabbat and Mr. Agah had the chance to meet and speak with H.E. Mr. Koichi Mizushima, Ambassador in charge of UN Affairs and Cyber Policy, Deputy Director-General of Foreign Policy Bureau for MOFA Japan; Ms. Aiko Hirose, Deputy Director for the International Peace Cooperation Division of the Foreign Policy Bureau of MOFA Japan; and Dr. Hideaki Shinoda, Director of Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center. Dr. Mohabbat spoke with them and asked them to please include some Afghan members to study under the program next year as the Human Capacity Building aspects would be very pertinent to development in Afghanistan. They all made the promise to him that they would indeed be sure to have Afghan members next year.

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2017.13.01 Attendance at Minato City New Year’s Reception.

Attendance at Minato City New Year’s Reception.

January 13, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., attended the Minato City New Year’s Reception. He had the pleasure of meeting and conversing with Honorable Mr. Masaaki Takei, Mayor of Minato City. Dr. Mohabbat extended his congratulations by representing the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Hon. Mayor Mr. Takei, and appreciated very much the invitation to the occasion, and the good relationship between the Embassy and Minato City have built, under Hon. Mr. Takei’s mayorship. This year as well, Dr. Mohabbat added and wished, will be also a good year for the Embassy and Minato City. In return Hon. Mayor Takei appreciated Dr. Mohabbat for his attendance and kind message, and added that the Minato City is grateful and values the good cooperation with the Embassy.

The reception was celebrated by more than 2000 distinguished guests attended, such as the diplomats of the embassies located in Minato City, lawmakers, business leaders, etc. Among them, Dr. Mohabbat particularly had a pleasure of meeting with Honorable Mr. Banri Kaieda, former leader of the Democratic Party of Japan, and a former Member of the Diet.

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2017.13.01 Dr. Mohabbat Attends the New Year Ceremony of Minato City’s Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Mohabbat Attends the New Year Ceremony of Minato City’s Junior Chamber of Commerce.

January 13, 2017: It was an honor and pleasure for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan, to meet with Mr. Yasuhiko Abe, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Minato city at this year’s New Year Ceremony. Dr. Mohabbat thanked Mr. Abe for inviting him to the event as well as for the good relations and cooperation between the Embassy and Minato city.

The hosts for the event asked the Afghan Embassy attendant, Dr. Mohabbat to be one of the few speakers to give a few words on behalf of embassies with mission in Minato city. Dr. Mohabbat gave his remarks wherein he expressed his gratefulness in attending such a fine event hosted by Minato city who has been very supportive of the embassy for the many years it has been located here in the pleasant long shared history together, as well as his thanks to Japan as a whole for its invaluable benevolence in helping to rebuild Afghanistan and help it gain further stability. He wished for continued good relations and friendship between all.

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2017.13.01 Condolence Book Signing at UAE Embassy

Condolence Book Signing at UAE Embassy

January 13, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., visited the embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Tokyo for the condolence book signing for 5 UAE diplomats martyred in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A suspected terror attack by explosion at Kandahar Governor’s guesthouse took away the precious lives, or injured many more including His Excellency Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan, who were on their stay there for the opening of an orphanage, as well as H.E. Governor of Kandahar Humayoon Azizi. Dr. Mohabbat expressed, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to denounce such barbaric act of terrorism, particularly to those who were on their mission for a precious just cause. He extended his condolences to the families and friends of those martyred, and prayed a quick recovery for those hurt, and emphasized that such heinous attack to a good partner of Afghanistan unites the people and the bilateral relation of Afghanistan and UAE closer and deeper.

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2017.13.01 Receiving Guests Participating in the Minato-ku World Carnival Stamp Rally

Receiving Guests Participating in the Minato-ku World Carnival Stamp Rally

January 13 - March 20, 2017: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo received about 1000 guests for the Minato-ku World Carnival Stamp Rally. The Stamp Rally was covered by the NHK, TV Asahi and Yomiuri Shimbun.

This year's run differed from previous years as Ms. Allyson Diaz, Public Relations Officer for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, sought the chance to reach out to the community and have them learn more about Afghanistan on their visit. On Mondays and Wednesdays the visitors were given guided tours of the Embassy while on Fridays, the visitors were given an informative and entertaining presentation about Afghanistan and a guided tour of the embassy by Mr. Ashraf Baburi, Administrative & Accounting Affairs Officer for the Embassy. During the presentation, the guests were also provided with refreshments from Afghanistan giving them a taste of Afghanistan’s food culture. Succeeding the presentation, there was a short question and answer section where all the visitors’ questions regarding Afghanistan, the history of the country, relations between Japan and Afghanistan as well as the differences and similarities between the two cultures were answered.

The purpose of the guided tours and presentations was to allow the visitors to learn more about Afghanistan and be familiarized with the country since travelling remain currently difficult. The Public Relations & Cultural Affairs Office hoped that by coming to the Embassy and receiving the hospitality, the visitors would feel like they have been to Afghanistan. Guests enjoyed learning about Afghanistan and Afghan-Japan relations while touring the Embassy and viewing places such as the Rumi Balkhi reception hall as well as the Embassy rooftop.

Look At the Photos From the Stamp Rally Here

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2017.11.01 Dr. Mohabbat & Ms. Imanishi Attend Japan Nut Association’s New Year’s Reception

Dr. Mohabbat & Ms. Imanishi Attend Japan Nut Association’s New Year’s Reception

January 11, 2016: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Minister-Counsellor for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, and Ms. Namie Imanishi, Commercial & Economic Assistant, had the pleasure in attending the New Year Reception hosted by Japan Nut Association at Tokai University’s Alumni Hall. The event had approximately 150 attendees from several embassies with missions in Japan, such as the United States, Australia, and Turkey, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan Dried Fruit Importers Association, other importers of nuts & dried fruits, media representatives, and others in related food industries.

Dr. Mohabbat and Ms. Imanishi met with Mr. Hiroto Nakajima, Chairman of the association, and expressed his thanks for extending the invitation to the event as well as for the great assistance of Japan to Afghanistan up to today. He also explained to him the great important role of dried fruits in Afghanistan and asked him to please consider importing its fine dried fruits into Japan for sales in the Japanese market.

Dr. Mohabbat also met with several of the leaders of the most prominent of Japanese food companies such as: Ms. Minako Kawasaki, Chief Deputy Director, and Ms. Shiori Takahashi, of the Trade Fair Department of JETRO; Mr. Hidemitsu Honda, Executive Vice President and Representative Director, and Mr. Kazusato Yamaguchi, Fruits and Nuts Department General Manager of Shohei Food Corporation; and from Toyota Tsusho Corporation. He asked them also to consider importing Afghan dried fruits. They suggested the leaders for the industry in Afghanistan meet with current suppliers of dried fruits to observe the process and learn from their methods. In the end, Dr. Mohabbat promised to give the companies’ leaders, with whom he spoke, a seminar to give them more information about the dried fruit industry and processes of Afghanistan at the embassy in the near future.

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2017.10.01 Dr. Mohabbat Attends Book Signing at Iranian Embassy

January 10, 2017: Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Charge d’Affaires a.i., visited the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tokyo for the condolence book signing for His Excellency Mr. Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s sad passing, who was the Chairman of the Expediency Council, former President, former Speaker of the Parliament and Head of the Assembly of Experts of Iran. Dr. Mohabbat was received by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Reza Nazarahari of Iran, and expressed, on behalf of people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, deep condolences to the family of late H.E. Rafsanjani, people and the Government of Iran, for the loss of whom highly revered by his supporters and played an influential role.

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2017.07.01 H.E. Dr. Fatimie is Interviewed in the Mainichi Shimbun.

H.E. Dr. Fatimie is Interviewed in the Mainichi Shimbun.

January 7, 2017: H.E. Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie's Interview with the Mainichi Shimbun's reporter Mr. Daichi Matsuoka was featured in print. The translation of the interview originally in Japanese is as following:

Hope is just the way to “peace”. The pen is needed more than the gun, continued assistance required to achieve these objectives.

Afghanistan has been facing conflicts since the invasion by former Soviet Union in 1979, internal conflicts afterwards, and US airstrikes in 2001. We interviewed Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie, Afghan Ambassador to Japan, about the current condition of Afghanistan and his hope for Japan, as well as the NGO Karez, etc.

--- The terror attacks are continuing in Afghanistan. What do you think is/are the cause?

Afghanistan, geographically, is located where terrorists such as Taliban are easily assisted by the neighboring countries and regional actors. There is no doubt that the terrorists are trained in the neighboring countries, and receiving military supplies. There are terrorist “factories” producing arms and terrorists located just outside Afghanistan. As long as these “factories” exist, the terrorists will exist, and the lives of innocent Afghans will be lost. If the neighboring countries would stop supporting the terrorists today, there would be peace in Afghanistan right away.

---Where exactly are these "factories" that Your Excellency is referring to?

In neighboring countries that have been supporting the Taliban for a while. You may know which countries I’m talking about.

---NGO Karez has provided medical and educational support. How do you see their activities?

Their activities of helping medical and educational sectors are fantastic. Dr. Reshad, the president of the group, is consistent and his leadership is great. The life expectancy of Afghans has been improving and this is partly due to the achievements of NGO Karez. I wish everyone who supports Karez the happiness of knowing it's successful efforts are working and wish them further success.

---What do you expect Japan to contribute for the reconstruction of Afghanistan?

The ultimate goal of Afghanistan is to bring peace through peace negotiation (with Taliban). Both peace and development are needed, and Japan has been supporting proactively the both sectors. (Since 2001 Japan has been one of our most steadfast friends in securing peace, prosperity, and stability) Peace and development are like the two sides of the same coin. If there is no peace, then development will not be achieved.

---Afghanistan is not a topic usually talked about in Japan. What is needed for it to gather the attention of the nation?

I sincerely wish that the media would focus its coverage on the exponential progress Afghanistan has made in its reconstruction of infrastructure and society. It is not hard to imagine that without all of the attention media focuses on the news reporting rocket missiles, poverty, or terror, Afghanistan might sound boring. However it is worth noting for all to see that Afghanistan has made huge improvements in some sectors such as female presence in school enrollment. Around 2001 it was just about 0%, but now has rose to 38%. In the health sector, quality of life has drastically improved and infant and maternal mortality rates have decreased significantly.

Education, like that which Karez supports, is the foundation for the country. We do not need kalashnikovs. We need pens with which to learn. Please continue to support us, do not forget about Afghanistan.

Please Click Here to go to the Original Article

[interviewed by Daichi Matsuoka]

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2017.06.01 Ambassador Dr. Fatimie welcomes visitors from Haruta Primary School & Chikuma International Exchange Association

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie welcomes visitors from Haruta Primary School & Chikuma International Exchange Association

January 6, 2017: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie; Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Minister-Councillor; Mr. Asif Agah, Second Secretary; and the staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo welcomed 45 visitors from Haruta Primary School and Chikuma International Exchange Association, both of Nagano Prefecture. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie welcomed the group in his opening remarks, with translation by Dr. Mohabbat . He spoke of Afghans love for peace and the successes under the democratic government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Ambassador inspired those attending to consider the regional dimensions of peace, along with the role of individuals such as themselves. The representatives of Chikuma International Exchange Association kindlypresented to the embassy two large boxes of Nagano Prefecture’ best apples as well as some other Japanese Sweets.

The visitors were given an informative presentation about Afghanistan by Mr. Ashraf Baburi, Administrative & Accounting Affairs Officer for the Embassy. After the presentation and question & Answer period, the visitors were invited to partake in a delicious meal of Afghan food prepared specially for them by the embassy. Following lunch, a tour of the embassy was conducted by Mr. Baburi and Mr. Yuki Takeda, Secretary to the Ambassador, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie welcomed the group in his office. Speaking of Afghans love for peace and the successes under the democratic government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Ambassador inspired those attending to consider the regional dimensions of peace, along with the role of individuals such as themselves. The students and instructors then enjoyed a question and answer time over lunch.

The impact of the event was evident as many of the visitors expressed their desire towards further strengthening relations between Afghanistan and Japan.

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2017.05.01 Dr. Mohabbat Attends the Keidanren New Year Reception.

Dr. Mohabbat Attends the Keidanren New Year Reception.

January 5, 2017: It was an honor and pleasure for Dr. Bashir Mohabbat, Minister-Counsellor for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, to attend the New Year Reception gala hosted by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). Present at the reception were more than one thousand guests including the top, uppermost ranked government officials, politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats with missions in Japan, and business men from large international corporations.

Opening remarks for the ceremony were given by the Chairman of Keidanren, Dr. Sadayuki Sakakibara. Also present to give remarks at the event was H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. All speakers spoke of the success of ‘Abenomics’ in helping to raise the economy, and increase profits, stating that for 2017 they would stay this course.

Dr. Mohabbat had the opportunity to meet and talk with H.E. PM Mr. Abe; H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of State Financial Services; H.E. Mr. Nobuteru Ishihara, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, Minister in charge of Total Reform of Social Security and Tax, and Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy; and with the Honorable Ms. Satsuki Katayama, Acting Chairrman for the Policy Research Council of the LDP and Member of the House of Councillors. Dr. Mohabbat expressed his thanks to all of them for Japan’s benevolent support to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and stabilization progress over the past fifteen years, as well as for the successful events of the Brussels Conference. H.E. Mr. Abe promised that Japan will continue to stand with Afghanistan and continue their support till after it is able to stand on its own.

 
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2017.01.01 H.E. Amb. Dr. Fatimie & Madam Fatimie Attends the New Year’s Greetings at Imperial Palace

H.E. Amb. Dr. Fatimie & Madam Fatimie Attends the New Year’s Greetings at Imperial Palace

January 1, 2017: It was the great honor and pleasure for His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie and Madam Fatimie to attend New Year’s Greetings at Imperial Palace. H.E. Dr. Fatimie extended the best wishes for the new year to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. At this occasion, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Madam Fatimie had a pleasure of meeting with Their Excellencies Head of Missions of other countries, and exchanged the greetings for the new year.

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