The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has reaffirmed that Japan’s relationship with Zambia is evolving from traditional development aid to a modern partnership founded on mutual respect, technical cooperation, and sustainable growth.
Speaking during a media breakfast hosted by JICA and the Japanese Embassy ahead of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), JICA Zambia Chief Representative Tateyama Jotaro said Japan’s role in Zambia goes far beyond offering financial assistance.
“We are not simply providing aid but building partnerships. We are not imposing solutions but co-creating them with Zambian expertise and leadership. We are not focused solely on immediate returns but invested in Zambia’s long-term transformation,” Mr. Jotaro said.
He noted that TICAD 9 reflects Japan’s strong commitment to working with Zambia and other African nations as equal partners in development and economic progress.
The high-level summit, which is themed “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa”, officially opens tomorrow in Yokohama, Japan. Vice President Mutale Nalumango is expected to lead the Zambian delegation.
Since its inauguration in 1993, TICAD has remained a key pillar of Japan-Africa cooperation, promoting sustainable development through dialogue, shared ownership, and collaboration. Japanese Ambassador to Zambia, Takeuchi Kazuyuki, said Japan considers African countries as genuine partners in development and growth.
“The upcoming TICAD will serve as a vital platform to support Africa’s sustainable development in the post-COVID era and strengthen the continent’s efforts to tackle global challenges such as climate change, health, and peace and stability,” Ambassador Takeuchi stated.
At the same event, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Etambuyu Gundersen said Zambia stands to benefit greatly from Japan’s advanced technology and its private sector-led approach to industrialisation, which align with the country’s national development priorities.
Ms. Gundersen emphasised that the Zambia-Japan partnership represents a strategic pathway to achieving sustainable industrial growth and enhancing economic resilience.
The evolving partnership signals a new chapter in the Japan-Zambia relationship, focused on co-created solutions, innovation, and long-term development impact.
