Yokohama Japan – In a firm and unambiguous message to both Africa and the United Nations, Japan reiterated—three times within two days—its unwavering position of non-recognition of the separatist entity, during the opening of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held Wednesday in Yokohama.
Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Takeshi Iwaya, delivered a solemn statement on behalf of the government at the start of the summit. He emphasized that “the presence of an entity not recognized by Japan as a state does not affect Japan’s position on the status of that entity.” This clarification, issued immediately after the customary opening pleasantries, underscored Japan’s steadfast stance and signaled its rejection of any attempts to politicize the summit through the inclusion of unrecognized separatist entities.
This marked the third time Japan reaffirmed its position on the matter. During the TICAD 9 ministerial meeting on Tuesday, Minister Iwaya had already issued a similar clarification: “I would like to make it clear that the presence at this meeting of any entity that Japan does not recognize as a state does not affect Japan’s position on the status of that entity,” he told attending African ministers and international representatives.
Earlier the same day, senior officials at the preparatory meeting for TICAD 9 also made clear Japan’s firm opposition to the inclusion of the separatist entity. Japanese diplomatic representatives emphasized that Japan had not issued an invitation to the group, and that its invitation policy was limited strictly to countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. They noted that it was the African Union Commission that had extended invitations to all AU members.
Morocco is represented at TICAD 9 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Ambassador to Japan, Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal.
This year’s summit, held under the theme “Co-creating Innovative Solutions with Africa,” seeks to align the African Union’s development priorities with those of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. The conference also aims to bolster technological collaboration between Japan and African nations, particularly in areas such as digital transformation, sustainable development, and social inclusion.
As part of the summit, the “TICAD Business Expo” features participation from 196 Japanese companies and organizations, including 107 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Exhibitors are showcasing innovations across eight key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, agri-food value chains, and popular culture.
BY: The Times Union
