2020.31.01 Presentation at the EDEN Seminar III at Shizenkan University.

Presentation at the EDEN Seminar III at Shizenkan University.

January 31, 2020: It was an honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to join in giving a presentation at the EDEN Seminar III at Shizenkan University in Tokyo. Also in attendance were Mr. Nasrullah Rozbeh, Second Secretary, and Mr. Abdul Hameed Hashimi, Third Secretary & Consul, as well as all the staff for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo.



EDEN (Emerging and Developing Economies Network) is a Japan based, university-driven initiative launched in 2019. Their goal is to work with partners in Japan and worldwide to identify and share solutions for current global issues. EDEN endeavors to rally diverse perspectives to work together to find solutions. The seminar was devoted to Afghanistan/AFLP initiative for greening Afghanistan through various ecological projects including the development of botanical gardens. With the idea of greening Afghanistan in mind, and in honored memory of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura who dedicated his life with the mission of greening Afghanistan, the seminar began with a Moment of Silence to pay tribute the the legacy and memory of the late Hon. Dr. Nakamura.


During the seminar H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat was honored to give the first presentation for EDEN, entitled “Afghanistan’s Environment Today & Tomorrow – an overview.” H.E. Dr. Mohabbat presented facts of contemporary Afghanistan and its trajectory among the topics of demographics, topography, mountainous regions, rivers, basins, infrastructural grading projects, water management, effects of climate change, and participation in the Paris Agreement.


Other presenters included Ms. Nassrine Azimi, Senior Advisor for UNITAR, Co-founder & Chair of EDEN Seminars speaking on the “Green Legacy Hiroshima Initiative” and “Botanical Gardens in Afghanistan – greening the next millennium”; and Mr. Hiroshi Naito, of Naito Architect & Associates speaking on “What we should think when we think about botanical gardens” from an architectural perspective.


Close to 100 people attended the event and participated in the Panel Discussion following the presentations to further talk about the topics being presented. Also at the event was a display of Afghan cultural items, dried Afghan fruits and nuts, award-winning Afghan saffron lemonade, and lapis lazuli items provided by the Embassy and local Afghan-owned Afghan goods businesses. All present remarked how enlightening and enjoyable the seminar was.

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2020.29.01 Attendance at the 2020 Tokyo Ambassadors Night.

Attendance at the 2020 Tokyo Ambassadors Night.

January 29, 2020: It was an honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to attend the evening reception entitled “Tokyo Ambassadors Night” hosted by Hon. Ms. Yuriko Koike, Governor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, at Fuji Television Station.
This evening was an event to honor all of the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission in Tokyo and enable them to meet, network further, and learn about the many wonders of Tokyo. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat had the opportunity to meet and speak once again with Hon. Governor Ms. Koike, to whom he expressed thanks for hosting this event as well as profound gratitude on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for the tireless dedication and benevolence Japan has shown to Afghanistan over the years in its reconstruction process and continued cooperation and support as it strives for peace.
In return, Hon. Mayor Koike thanked H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for attending the event, his kind words regarding the strong ties between their respective countries, and reaffirmed her commitment to maintaining and furthering the bilateral relationship they have enjoyed well into the future. Further, Hon. Mayor Koike expressed her sincerest hopes for a good contingency of Afghan athletes competing as the Afghanistan National Olympic Team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat also expressed his hopes that their representation will give all their best efforts. While at the event, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of also meeting and speaking with several of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors and Heads of Missions in Japan, as well as other distinguished guests, all of whom were present for the outstanding occasion.

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2020.25.01 Attendance at the Memorial for the Late Dr. Nakamura, hosted by Peshawar-kai

Attendance at the Memorial for the Late Dr. Nakamura, hosted by Peshawar-kai

January 25, 2019: It was with a heavy heart that His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat attended a somber memorial to honor the late Dr. Tetsu Nakamura and the five others who lost their lives in the same attack, hosted by the Peshawar-Kai at the Seinan Gakuin University Chapel in Fukuoka Prefecture.


More than two-thousand mourners attended the event to pay their respects. The late Hon. Dr. Nakamura was a philanthropic physician who spent decades committing himself to humanitarian work in Afghanistan. He headed the Peace Japan Medical Services (PMS) also known as Peshawar-kai. He worked to build canals, hospitals, mosques, and was even credited with transforming the Gamberi desert into forests and farmlands. Dr. Nakamura’s kind benevolence and dedication to making the world a better place was not overlooked by the Afghan people who joyfully welcomed him as an honorary Afghan citizen and called him “Kaka Murad' - meaning Uncle Murad; a Afghan-stylized version of his name Nakamura.
On this somber occasion H.E. Dr. Mohabbat shared in the sorrow of both the people of Afghanistan and Japan at the loss of the lives of the six souls in the deadly attack. He expressed his sorrow at the untimely passing of someone of such good character as well as his prayers for Mr. Nakamura’s soul, for the souls of the benevolent guards who paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives, and for the comfort of their respective families during this difficult time.

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2020.24.01 Attendance at the Reception for the 71st Republic Day of India.

Attendance at the Reception for the 71st Republic Day of India.

January 24, 2020: It was an honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to attend the reception for the 71st Republic Day of India at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo.


On behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat extended best wishes in honor of the auspicious day to His Excellency Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, Ambassador of India to Japan. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked H.E. Ambassador Mr. Verma for India’s generous support to Afghanistan over the years, wishing for continued close bilateral relations. In return, H.E. Mr. Verma thanked H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for his attendance and his wishes for continued friendship between Afghanistan and India.


While at the event, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Hon. Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, Chief Representative of the Komei Party, a long time personal friend of the Ambassador's as well as of Afghanistan; Hon. Hiroyuki Hosoda, Member of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Japan-India Parliamentarians' Friendship League, and former Chief Cabinet Secretary under H.E. Prime Minister Mr. Junichiro Koizumi; as well as others of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors, diplomats with missions in Japan, and other distinguished guests all present in honor of the auspicious occasion.

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2020.22.01 Attendance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan’s Networking Reception and Training Seminar.

Attendance at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan’s Networking Reception and Training Seminar.

January 22, 2020: It was a pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to attended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan’s Networking Reception and Training Seminar hosted by H.E. Mr. Shinichi Nakatani, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs for Japan, at Mita Kaigisho in Tokyo.


The annual event is aimed at providing the officials of local governments and diplomats an opportunity to build networks in order to promote dialogue and exchanges. Therefore, it was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps in Japan. On behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat extended sincerest gratitude to the people and Government of Japan, through the host of the event H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Mr. Nakatani for the steadfast and benevolent support that they have shown to Afghanistan over the years as it has strived for redevelopment, prosperity, and peace. In return, H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Mr. Nakatani, thanked H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for his kind attendance and kind words as well as expressed Japan’s intentions to continue to stand besides Afghanistan and offer support and assistance well into the future.
During the course of the reception, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat also had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with others of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors, diplomats with missions in Japan, and the high ranking members of government all in attendance at the event.

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2020.21.01 Meeting with Mr. Masataka Nakahara from JICA

Meeting with Mr. Masataka Nakahara from JICA

January 21, 2020: It was a pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to meet with Mr. Masataka Nakahara, Visiting Senior Advising Expert and Project Leader on Afghanistan for Mr. Masataka Nakahara (JICA) and Project Leader for Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening Project (CDIS) for the JICA-Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) Support Office in Afghanistan as well as the Project for Rice-based Agriculture Development in Afghanistan (RIPA), who is a longtime personal friend of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat, as well as a longtime friend of the people of Afghanistan, at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Japan. Also in attendance was Mr. Najibullah Safi, Counselor and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo.
Thanks to the great efforts from JICA, Japan has been able to be one of the major contributors to the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s infrastructure and to the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector, education, infrastructure building, and many other sectors. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat once again warmly welcomed Mr. Nakahara to the Embassy stating how much he always appreciated his visits. In return, Mr. Nakahara expressed his deepest gratitude to H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for always finding time in his busy schedule to meet with him and, at this time, gave H.E. Dr. Mohabbat and Mr. Safi a briefing of his most recent trip to Afghanistan, mentioning the ongoing Rice Expansion Project into 8 more Provinces of Afghanistan, further capacity building of farmers, water management in bringing Panjshir River to Kabul, assistance for the Afghan Cancer Foundation, as well as H.E. Dr. Mohabbat’s recent trip to Afghanistan.

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2020.09.01 Receiving a Courtesy Call by Hon. Dr. Akihiro Ohara, President of Meijo University.

Receiving a Courtesy Call by Hon. Dr. Akihiro Ohara, President of Meijo University.

January 9, 2020: It was a pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to receive a courtesy call by Hon. Dr. Akihiro Ohara, the new President of Meijo University - H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat's Alma Mater -, and Mr. Ikuya Yano, Deputy Chief Executive Administrator for Meijo University, at the Embassy in Tokyo.


H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat welcomed Hon. Dr. Ohara to the embassy, congratulated him on his new appointment as President, and on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, extended gratitude for the long support and assistance of the people and Government of the noble nation of Japan. Japan has stood with Afghanistan during the rebuilding process by helping to bring Afghanistan to its current progress & achievements through helping to develop the human capacity, which forever holds a place of appreciation and honor in the heart of Afghans. Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat also expressed optimism for the relationship between Japan and Afghanistan becoming stronger through many avenues and asked for their support to increase the scholarship opportunities for Afghan students at Meijo University in order that Afghanistan’s future leaders may receive the cutting-edge, top quality education of the highest caliber such as he himself, as an Alumnus of Meijo, received when he was a student there, and thus to help continue the human capacity development of Afghanistan for maximizing progress. He again discussed with them establishing a "sister school program" between Meijo University and different universities in Afghanistan.
Hn. Dr. Ohara expressed his sincere intention to assure that Meijo University would accept Afghan applicants into their program, and believed that in doing so it would serve as a great assistance to increasing ties between Afghanistan and Japan as well as to continue the forward progress for Afghanistan. Moreover, he noted this commitment would foster the progress and advancement of Afghanistan’s society and well-being. All those present further discussed topics or pertinent interest.

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2020.09.01 Interview Recording Meeting with FM Radio for Kuraray Co. Ltd.,’s Randosel Project.

Interview Recording Meeting with FM Radio for Kuraray Co. Ltd.,’s Randosel Project.

January 9, 2020: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat had the pleasure of recording an interview meeting for broadcast with members of FM Radio for Kuraray Co. Ltd.,’s Randosel Project at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Tokyo.


The Randosel Project’s backpack donation program has been administered since 2004 by manufacturer company Kuraray. After passing a rigorous inspection making sure all belts, straps, and buckles were attached and in good working order, each memory-filled backpack is shipped overseas as a gift from a schoolchild in Japan to a counterpart in Afghanistan. Each randoseru was packaged together with a kit of unused school supplies containing notebooks, pencils, erasers, colored pencils, and other unused supplies, along with a letter and photo from the young Japanese donor. In all, more than 120,000 Japanese school backpacks have been donated.
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat extended his warmest welcome and appreciation to Ms. Maki Ogawa, Announcer and Interviewer for this occasion with Joystaff for FM Radio, for their kind visit to the embassy and interest in covering the efforts of Kuraray Co. Ltd.,’s Randosel Project. In return, Ms. Ogawa each expressed her thanks to H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for his kind words and for making time in his schedule to meet, welcome their staff members so graciously, and record. H.E. Dr. Mohabbat was delighted to talk about the Randosel Project as it not only helps to advance education for children in Afghanistan but also provides an opportunity to continue to deepen the relationship between Japan and Afghanistan.

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2020.08.01 Luncheon hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Luncheon hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

January 8, 2020: It was an honor for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat to attend a luncheon for the Japanese-speaking Ambassadors with mission in Japan hosted by H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, at his official residence in Tokyo.
H.E. Prime Minister Abe welcomed everyone and remarked that Japan was anticipating hosting of the 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games this coming summer and as such was very much looking forward to the valuable opinion of each country's ambassador to make the games a success. Their Excellencies the Ambassadors from each country who attended gave their opinions about what could help promote Japan as well as the Olympics and Paralympic Games abroad in their respective countries.
In his remarks, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat thanked H.E. Prime Minister Abe for hosting this event and thanked him, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the long support and unwavering assistance of the people and Government of the noble nation of Japan. Further, he suggested that Japan’s incomparable hospitality, called “Omotenashi” would be precisely the chief essential to bridge relations between it and every other country. Additionally, he suggested that as tickets for attendance to each game are already distributed without knowing which country will be participating in each game, it would be hospitable to distribute the competing teams’ national flags within the audience so that they can cheer on the competitors for each country wholeheartedly.
While at the event, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the honor of meeting and speaking once again with his peers the other Japanese-speaking Ambassadors with missions in Japan for this annual luncheon hosted by H.E. Prime Minister Abe.

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2020.07.01 Attendance at 2020 Joint New Year’s Party Hosted by The Japan and Tokyo Chambers for Commerce and Industry, Keidanren, and Keizai Doyukai.

Attendance at 2020 Joint New Year’s Party Hosted by The Japan and Tokyo Chambers for Commerce and Industry, Keidanren, and Keizai Doyukai.

January 7, 2020: It was a pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to attend the New Year Reception gala jointly hosted by The Japan and Tokyo Chambers for Commerce and Industry, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo.
Opening remarks were given by H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. While at the annual reception attended by thousands of guests, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the opportunity to meet and speak with Dr. Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai to whom he expressed thanks for the invitation to this most favorable event. On behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat extended him sincerest thanks for the long support and unwavering assistance of the people and Government of its true friend, the noble nation of Japan. Moreover, he encouraged Chairman Kobayashi to use his considerable influence among the members of his organization to boost further investment in Afghanistan’s burgeoning economy, business sectors, trade market, and especially mining sector in order to help further prosperity and growth as well as to strike well at the very receptive Afghan market. In return, Chairman Kobayashi thanked H.E. Dr. Mohabbat for his kind words and attendance, as well as assured him that he would fairly consider the mutually beneficial advantages of encouraging further investment in Afghanistan.
Additionally, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of meeting with high-ranking government officials, politicians, parliamentarians, Their Excellencies the Ambassadors, diplomats with missions in Japan, officials from the global economic sector, and the foremost leaders of Japan’s largest international corporations, all of whom were present in honor of the propitious occasion.

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2020.01.01 Attendance at the Imperial Palace for His Majesty the Emperor’s 2020 New Year’s Greeting.

Attendance at the Imperial Palace for His Majesty the Emperor’s 2020 New Year’s Greeting.

January 1, 2020: It was a distinct honor and pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Bashir Mohabbat to attend the New Year’s Greetings Ceremony by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. As His Majesty the Emperor assumed the throne last year, this was first occasion presiding over the event and was yet another honored opportunity for that H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohabbat to be in the presence His Majesty the Emperor since his enthronement. While at the most noble event, H.E. Dr. Mohabbat had the pleasure of meeting again with several of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors to, and Heads of Missions in Japan to whom he extended warm greetings and wishes for a peace filled and prosperous new year.

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