Akihiko Tanaka, President of JICA, visited Nepal, Malaysia, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from July 26 to August 6. During this visit, he held meetings with leaders of the three countries, participated in ceremonies and seminars, and inspected JICA cooperation projects. Through these activities, he reaffirmed the deep bonds between Japan and these Asian nations and confirmed the impact of JICA’s cooperation.
[Nepal]
Chairman Tanaka visited Nepal and held meetings with Finance Minister Wagre, as well as Minister of Infrastructure Development Ramsal and Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Shrestha. During the meetings, in light of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating across a wide range of fields to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
Finance Minister Wagure (left) and Chairman Tanaka (front right)
I also attended the completion ceremony for the “Nagdunga Tunnel,” which was constructed with Japan’s assistance. This tunnel is Nepal’s first mountain road tunnel. Located at a key transportation hub connecting the capital, Kathmandu, with various regions across the country, the tunnel is expected to alleviate chronic traffic congestion and improve the efficiency of logistics. Japan’s advanced civil engineering technology and experience cultivated over many years have made a significant contribution to Nepal’s nation-building efforts. This project has become a symbolic example of Japan’s technical capabilities and high level of reliability.
Scene from the Nagdunga Tunnel opening ceremony (Chairman Tanaka: center foreground)
In addition, we visited the “Patan Secondary School” in Kathmandu. This school is one of several that were rebuilt through Japan’s “Emergency School Reconstruction Project” following the major earthquake of 2015. At the school, which also serves as a posting for JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, we observed many children studying in a safe and secure environment, confirming that Japan’s cooperation is supporting the generation that will shape the future.
Through this visit, we reaffirmed that Japan’s cooperation supports the livelihoods of the Nepali people and strengthens the bond of trust between our two countries, and we shared the view that it is important to continue deepening our cooperation as partners in shared development.
[Malaysia]
Next, Chairman Tanaka visited Malaysia and held talks with Minister of Economy Akmal and Deputy Director-General of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Zawawi. During the talks with the Minister of Economy, they confirmed their commitment to cooperation that would contribute to balanced development toward achieving high-income status and to strengthening bilateral relations. Furthermore, with the MMEA, they confirmed that they would continue maritime security cooperation with Malaysia, which controls the Strait of Malacca.
Minister of Economy Akmar (center left) and Chairman Tanaka (second from the front on the right)
MMEA Deputy Director General Zawaoui (left) and Chairman Tanaka (right)
He also participated in and delivered a keynote address at the kickoff meeting for a joint research initiative co-hosted by the JICA Sadako Ogata Institute for Peace and Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), alongside SDSN Chair Jeffrey Sachs. In his speech, he expressed JICA’s commitment to actively contributing to future discussions on the post-2030 development agenda.
Chairman Jeffrey Sachs (right) and Chairman Tanaka (left)
I also visited the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) and attended a signing ceremony for documents related to scholarships for Palestinian students. In my speech at the ceremony, I spoke about the significance of supporting Palestinian reconstruction in collaboration with MJIIT—a product of Japan-Malaysia cooperation—and expressed my expectations for this initiative.
Scene from the MJIIT Signing Ceremony (Chairman Tanaka: second from the left in the second row)
[Pakistan]
Finally, Chairman Tanaka visited Pakistan and held talks with Prime Minister Sharif, Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Iqbal, Minister of Economic Relations Chima, and Punjab Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif. During the meetings, they exchanged views on the development challenges facing Pakistan and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation between the two countries through a variety of support measures.
Prime Minister Sharif (right) and Chairman Tanaka (left)
In addition, Chairman Tanaka visited Faisalabad and inspected a water treatment facility that is being upgraded and improved with JICA’s cooperation. He also visited households served by the system to observe how residents’ lives have improved now that they have access to safe water, and to review efforts toward the introduction of a volume-based billing system. The city is also exploring support for the expansion of its water treatment plant, and the results of this comprehensive water supply project are expected to be replicated in other regions as the “Faisalabad Model.”
Visiting Households Where Water Distribution Has Improved Thanks to JICA’s Assistance
In addition, the delegation visited non-formal education sites where JICA has provided support for over 20 years, support organizations for victims of gender-based violence, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, and the National Emergency Response Center responsible for polio eradication efforts, as well as the Geological Sciences Institute, whose establishment JICA supported in the 1990s. We confirmed that Japan’s cooperation across a wide range of fields—including education, healthcare, and natural resources—is contributing to the strengthening of livelihoods and social stability, while also reinforcing the relationship of trust between the two countries.
© Source JICA