9/02/2016 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Kagawa Prefecture Promotion Reception

February 09, 2016: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatimie had a pleasure of attending Kagawa Prefecture Promotion Reception, co-hosted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and Kagawa Prefecture, at Iikura House. The reception, opened by speech of H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, was held based on Japanese government's policy to promote its local governments' various appeal points to the world by utilizing the facility of Foreign Ministry. Kagawa Prefecture's capital, Takamatsu city, has been designated to host G7 ICT Ministers' Meeting on April 29th and 30th.

It was an honor and pleasure for H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie to meet with the Honorable Governor Mr. Keizo Hamada of Kagawa Prefecture. H.E. Dr. Fatimie expressed his appreciation, on behalf of people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the support to Afghanistan, and expectation that the linkage between Afghanistan and Kagawa Prefecture will be strengthened. Honorable Governor Mr. Hamada appreciated H.E. Ambassador's words, and he, too, wished the relation will be closer.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie also had a pleasure of meeting again the Honorable Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, Member of the House of Representatives, and former Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs (pictured above); the Honorable Mr. Hiroshi Yamamoto, Member of the House of Councillors; the Honorable Mr. Yoshihiko Isozaki, Member of the House of Councillors; the Honorable Mr. Yuichiro Tamaki, Member of the House of Representatives; H.E. Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Vice-Minister, and Mr. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Deputy Director-General of Middle Eastern and African Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Mr. Makoto Miki (Senior Adviser), Mr. Eiji Taniguchi (Director), Mr. Tetsuyuki Imataki (Assistant Director), Mr. Toshihiko Ohkawa (Deputy Chief) from Kagawa Prefectural Government; Mr. Keisuke Matsumoto and Mr. Nobuyuki Shimizu from Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.; Ms. Yuka Onishi and Ms. Mio Tanaka from Tadano Ltd.

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22/05/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Holds Discussions with Senior Government Figures at STS Forum

May 22, 2015: With many Vice Ministers in attendance, the Science and Technology in Society Forum held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was a highly important event for His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Second Secretary Mr. Mohammad Yasir Karimi to attend. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie took great pleasure in meeting with the Founder and Chairman of STS Mr. Koji Omi as well as with its Director General Mr. Takayuki Shirao and Secretary General Ms. Asako Omi and praised them for their valuable work. 

Due to the importance of Japan's assistance to Afghanistan in the role of providing scholarships to Afghan students to study in Japan, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie payed particular attention to his discussions with Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology The Honorable Mr. Sadayuki Tsuchiya, who he extended, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, his utmost gratitude for Japan's socio-economic and peace efforts and human capacity building in Afghanistan. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie requested that the number of highly successful peace scholarship programs offered be increased which The Hon. Deputy Minister Mr. Tsuchiya responded that he would seriously consider.

Discussion of importance were also held with Vice Minister for Policy Coordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications The Honorable Mr. Yasuo Sakamoto, the Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation of the Cabinet Office The Honorable Mr. Koichi Morimoto, the Director General of the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry The Honorable Mr. Hirofumi Katase, Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs for Science and Technology Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Mr. Makoto Katsura and member of the House of Representatives The Honorable Ms. Asako Omi in what was a morning of significant interpersonal interaction with highly influential figures within the Government of Japan. 

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17/04/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends Cherry Blossom Party Hosted By H.E. Prime Minister Abe

 

April 17, 2015: Hosted by Prime Minister of Japan His Excellency Shinzo Abe, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Ambassadress Fatimie had the rare privilege of participating in a cherry blossom party at the Shinjuku Gardens with many distinguished officials from the Japanese Government also in attendance.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had the honor of meeting with many high ranking members of the Japanese Government including, but not limited to, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology His Excellency Mr. Hirofumi Shimomura, Minister of Agriculture His Excellency Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa, Vice-President of the LDP The Honorable Mr. Masahiko Komura, Chairman of the General Council of the LDP The Honorable Mr. Toshihiro Nikai, Deputy Chairman of the Diet Affairs Committee of the LDP The Honorable Mr. Yoshitaka Sakudrada, and House of Representatives member for the LDP The Honorable Mr. Iwao Horii. 

Working hard to positively represent the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and achieve meaningful outcomes with every possible opportunity, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie throughout the morning communicate to eminent Government officials Afghanistan's profound gratitude to the people and Government of Japan for their unwavering assistance and support. In particular, the progress of the National Unity Government and importance of ongoing cooperation, in order to ensure Afghanistan's continued upward direction toward accomplishing lasting peace and self-reliant development, was also emphasized.

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6/04/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Meets With New JICA Representative to Afghanistan

April 6, 2015: JICA has played a fundamental role in Afghanistan's reconstruction and sustainable development and it was therefore a great honor for His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and First Secretary and Consul Mrs. Farima Orya Afzali to welcome JICA's new Resident Representative to Afghanistan the esteemed Mr. Eiichiro Cho and the Deputy Director General for South Asia 2 and 3 South Asia Department the outstanding Mr. Shigeki Furta.

H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie congratulated Mr. Cho on his new role and highlighted the importance of education as a determinate of security, health and stability in Afghanistan, while underlining that stability in the country would equal health and wealth for the people. Challenges being faced in regards to the the Afghan JICA student scholarship recipients were also discussed.

Mr. Cho expressed his appreciation to the Embassy for the work it has done in recent years with JICA along with requesting increased efforts for more Afghan agricultural products to be exported to Japan as the security situation improves and to reactivate the Parliamentary League between the Afghan and Japanese Governments.

Few people have assisted the people of Afghanistan more so than long time friend of Afghanistan former President of JICA, Her Excellency Madam Sadako Ogata, who has significantly contributed to the betterment of the lives of ordinary Afghans in all facets including in the areas of education, economy and in agriculture. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie communicated, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, his utmost gratitude to H.E. Madam Ogata, JICA and the virtuous nation of Japan. Additionally, significant emphasis by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was placed on the vital role of agriculture in the lives of some eighty percent of Afghans and he, therefore, requested increased support by JICA for the country's agricultural industry.

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31/03/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Welcomes Representatives of GYROS

March 31, 2015: As the gateway to Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai International Airport plays a fundamental role in the social and economic functioning of the country. Japan has been at the forefront of the airport's construction and expansion and in order to receive important information regarding the progress of the rehabilitation and expansion of aircraft aprons, His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and First Secretary and Consul Mrs. Farima Orya Afzali welcomed President of GYROS Mr. Takao Yamaguchi and Senior Architect Ms. Marie Iokawa to the Embassy. Work on Phase 1 has already been completed and Phase 2 is progressing well and Phase 3 is scheduled to be finished at the end of 2015. Challenges regarding visas were also discussed along with the expression of deep gratitude for the work of GYROS, JICA and the Japanese Government in facilitating this important project.

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12/03/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Attends MOFA Japan and Fukushima Prefecture Organized Seminar

March 12, 2015: The efforts of the virtuous people of Fukushima are a shining example to the world and it was with great anticipation that His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie attended the "Messages to the World from Revitalizing Fukushima" seminar which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Fukushima Prefecture.

 

 

Hosted at Iikura House and with speeches by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs The Honorable Mr. Kentaro Sonoura and Governor of Fukushima Prefecture The Honorable Mr. Masao Uchibori, the seminar conveyed information regarding the revitalization processes that have occurred as well as the current safety situation.

 

Representing the esteemed Ambassadors in attendance, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie rose and delivered an important speech which thanked and congratulated the Government of Japan and The Hon. Governor Mr. Uchibori for the excellent results that have been achieved so far in the on going process of physically, socially and economically revitalizing the region, despite enormous obstacles. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie said that, "I am confidant that the problems will be overcome due to the work at the local, prefecture and national levels of government". He added that, "My prayers and thoughts are with the victims of this disaster and with the entire noble nation of Japan". Such genuine support and leadership by a foreign representative is deeply appreciated by both the people and also the government of Japan.

 

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6/03/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie Hosts Reception for Afghan Peace Scholarship Graduates

March 6, 2015: Japan has played a leading role in ensuring that Afghanistan not only achieves peace and development but also, and more importantly, achieves self-reliant peace and self-reliant development. Hosted by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie, the Embassy's reception for twenty-nine Afghan students graduating from Masters Degrees through the Peace Scholarship program of the Japanese Government, clearly illustrates such invaluable contributions by the noble nation of Japan.

In what was a commemoration of achievements made before the graduates return to Afghanistan to participate in the development of their country, lunch was served before impassioned speeches were given by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie, JICA's Director South Asia Division 2 South Asia Department Mr. Takuya Otsuka and by Dr. Azam of the Afghan Students Association. Deep appreciation for Japan's efforts toward ensuring a bright future for the people of Afghanistan were communicated.

First Secretary and Consul Mrs. Farima Orya Afzali gave an important speech while Third Secretary Mr. Sayed Ali Asghar Amiri was Master of Ceremonies. Esteemed guests in attendence included JICA representatives Ms. Rumiko Nomura, Mr. Masaaki Nakatsu, Mr. Shota Suzuki, Ms. Harue Tomino and JICE representatives Mr. Takafumi Kukai, Ms. Eriko Sanada, Ms. Airi Nakazawa and Mr. Kazutoshi Yoshino.

Presentations of theses by graduate students Ms. Fatema Samim, Mr. Abdul Wahab Mohammadi, Mr. Homayoon Ganji, Mr. Ahmad Farid Rawan, Mr. Mohd Asif Agah, and by Mr. Mir Sayed Shah Danish highlighted the practical nature of the degrees studied which included a diverse range of specialties including in Engineering, Bio-resources, Agriculture and international development.

Certificates of congratulations were then awarded to each of the graduating participants.

The reception was highly successful and would not have run as smoothly without the excellent contributions by members of the day's Embassy intern team - Moco-san, Miyu-san, Mana-san and Gawon-san - who H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie expressed His sincere gratitude to.

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16/01/2015 H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Mr. Karimi Participate in the 17th Regional Promotion Seminar at MoFA

January 16, 2015: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Second Secretary Mr. Mohammad Yasir Karimi participated in the 17th Regional Promotion Seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This kind of seminar has been held since 2008 on the basis of introducing local area’s specialties for the diplomatic missions in Tokyo in order to boost local business and investment. Participating in the 17th seminar, there were four local government representatives from Kyoto Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture and Hamamatsu City who made presentations regarding tourism, products, opportunities for investment and business in each area.

At the end, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Mr. Karimi visited the Booth Area and talked with the Director of Local Partnership Cooperation Division MoFA Mr. Masanobu Yoshii and also with the local representatives. H.E. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie thanked MoFA and the local government representatives and said that holding this kind of seminar is crucial for the awareness of local specialties.

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17/09/2014 Ambassador Dr. Fatimie hosts ceremony of Martyr Week and reception for the JICA PEACE invitation program

September 17, 2014: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie hosted a ceremony in recognition of Martyr Week and a reception for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) PEACE invitation program. In a ceremony of Martyr Week, participants mourned and honored people who fought for Afghanistan. Ambassador then gave remarks representing great gratitude for JICA and Japanese government’s support to Afghanistan. This was followed by an inspirational speech by Mr. Ahmad Kamal Qasemyar, the human resources director from Kabul Municipality, who spoke about Afghanistan’s future. Participants enjoyed traditional Afghanistan dishes after the events.

12/09/2014 Ambassador Dr. Fatimie attends The World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW!)

September 12, 2014: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended The World Assembly for Women (WAW!) 2014 in Tokyo. The event was held by the Government of Japan, KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation), Nikkei Inc., and the Japan Institute of International Affairs. At the event, issues regarding women’s role in today’s society such as diversity in work environments, women’s role in promoting as well as other issues that commonly affect women around the world were discussed.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie attended the event with Her Excellency Dr. Sima Samar, the chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Right Commission who was visiting Japan for this occasion. Ambassador talked with several prominent figures from Japan including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Minister For Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida, and Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, the new leader of New Komeito.

10/06/2014 Ambassador Dr. Fatimie attends reception in honor of meeting of Japanese Ambassadors to the Middle East and Africa

June 10, 2014: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin attended at Iikura House a reception held in honor of the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Ambassadors to the Middle East and Africa. The event was hosted by H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who opened the event with inspirational remarks. The evening provided an opportunity to connect the Japanese Ambassadors and other Japanese government dignitaries with Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of foreign missions to Japan and certain prestigious representatives from the Japanese private sector.

10/02/2014 Ambassador Fatimie attends reception hosted by Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Koshikawa in conjunction with local governments’ seminar

February 10, 2014: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended a reception hosted by Deputy Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuhiko Koshikawa at Mita Kaigisho. The reception was organized in conjunction with a seminar held for officials of local governments.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had the opportunity to greet Deputy Vice-Minister Koshikawa (pictured above), expressing deepest gratitude for the generous and life-bettering support that has been provided to Afghanistan by Japan and specifically through the kind partnership of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ambassador further hailed the event’s purpose of helping to forge even-closer bonds between the diplomatic community and the local governments, as this is one of Ambassador Dr. Fatimie’s personal prioritized initiatives.

Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was able to meet with many notable guests at the reception, including Director Shuichi Akamatsu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Economic Policy Division; Director Tetsuya Toyota of the Japan External Trade Organization’s Regional Industry Tie-up Program; H.E. Ambassador Francis Mariur Matsutaro of the Republic of Palau; and Mr. Timur Chonmurunov, Third Secretary, of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic; along with many of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of missions to Japan. From the Japanese local governments, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie was able to meet representatives from a number of localities, including from Akita prefecture, Chiba city, Gifu city, Hamamatsu, Kasukabe, Kobe, Mie prefecture, Niigata prefecture, Niigata city, Oita prefecture, Sagamihara, Sapporo, Shizuoka prefecture, Shizuoka city, Tokorozawa, Tokyo, Tottori prefecture, and Wakayama prefecture.

4/02/2014 Ambassador Fatimie attends reception in support of reconstruction of Tohoku region at the invitation of H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara

February 4, 2014: Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended a reception at Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa upon the invitation of H.E. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara. The reception was dedicated to supporting the reconstruction of the Prefectural Governments of the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The event featured speeches and words of encouragement by key participants.

At the event, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie had the honor of meeting with Their Honors the Vice-Governors of represented prefectures and a number of Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of missions located in Japan.

1/01/2013 Sekai Nippo publishes New Year’s message from Ambassador Fatimie

January 1, 2013: The Sekai Nippo newspaper in their New Year’s edition published a message from Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie, along with messages from Their Excellencies a number of Ambassadors in Tokyo as well as Japanese Government officials.

In his message, Ambassador Fatimie offered congratulations to H.E. Prime Minister Abe and the people of Japan on the recent historic election, touched upon the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s transition and transformation building upon the framework discussed at the Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan, and reaffirmed dedication to further strengthening the already close ties between the two nations.

 

To see the article as it was published, click here.

To read the English translation, click here.

22-23/03/2011 Ambassador Fatimie attends press conferences on the Fukushima nuclear incident

March 22-23, 2011: In order to become fully aware of the latest developments and to directly receive complete information, Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie attended press conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday in regards to the ongoing developments of the Fukushima nuclear incident.

The Fukushima Daiichi (number one) Nuclear Power Plant suffered damage due to the tsunami that resulted from March 11th’s massive earthquake in northeastern Japan. Since the incident, radiation has been released and the public has been concerned about the effects, both short-term and long-term.

On Tuesday, Ambassador Fatimie attended a talk by Professor Shunichi Yamashita of Nagasaki University’s Department of Molecular Medicine and Department of International Health and Radiation Research, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute on nuclear power and radiation exposure. Professor Yamashita, who is serving as an advisor on the Fukushima situation, expressed confidence in the safety of Japan at present, assuring people that even those in a close proximity to the nuclear facility, citing 31 kilometers from the facility as an example, are as safe from the effects of radiation as those outside of Japan.

On Wednesday, Ambassador Fatimie, accompanied by Mr. Jason Pratt, Public Affairs Officer of the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, attended visiting-nuclear expert Dr. Robert Peter Gale’s press conference in Tokyo. Dr. Gale has worked on the Chernobyl incident as well as others worldwide. Dr. Gale also reassured of the current safety of Japan and those living in Japan. Comparing the situations of Chernobyl and Fukushima, he noted that the reactor types and the environments are very different. While Fukushima has been declared to be the same level of threat as Three Mile Island in the United States, Dr. Gale stated that there have been no noticeable health problems, including no cancer problems, resulting from Three Mile Island, and has said that the Japanese government is taking adequate steps to address the situation and providing proper support and care to those that need it.

Both conferences were positive indicators that currently, the proper steps are being done to protect those in Japan and to improve the situation.

The Ambassador and diplomats from the Embassy have also been meeting with officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a daily basis to keep updated on the developments and to hear of the Japanese government’s official position.

(Photo: Professor Yamashita speaks on the realities of radiation.)

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