Washington DC, 08/21/25: Since his arrival in Japan, for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has met several key leaders to make the case for a stronger bilateral cooperation between Japan and Liberia.
An Executive Mansion release noted that President Boakai met with Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba in a meeting that provided an opportunity for both leaders to reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation existed between Liberia and Japan for more than six decades.
The release pointed out that President Boakai extended heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support to Liberia’s development, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, food security, health, and capacity-building and specifically recalled Japan’s critical assistance during the Ebola and COVID-19 crises, as well as recent contributions such as the extension of the Japan Freeway, the reconstruction of the Somalia Drive Road Project, and emergency food aid that continues to support Liberia’s socio-economic stability.
For his part, “H.E. Prime Minister Ishiba warmly congratulated Liberia on its election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to working closely with Liberia to advance peace, stability, and development.
The Independent Global News Networks (GNN) reports that while in Japan, a high-powered Liberian delegation coordinated by Finance & Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan held productive discussions with the World Bank delegation to TICAD headed by the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mr. Maktar Diop.
The discussion focused on plans of IFC to scale-up support to private sector investments in Liberia in the areas of energy, agriculture, tourism and financial services.
The World Bank’s portfolio in Liberia with net commitments now totals nearly US$1 billion.
In a related development, President Boakai Sr held a strategic meeting with the Mayor of Yokohama, Dr. Takeharu Yamanaka. The meeting focused on fostering city-to-city partnerships between cities in Liberia and Yokohama.
An Executive Mansion dispatch from Japan said, President Boakai extended a formal invitation to Mayor Yamanaka to visit Liberia, highlighting the importance of personal engagement in strengthening bilateral ties.
“Mayor Yamanaka warmly welcomed the invitation and expressed genuine interest in Liberia, emphasizing potential cooperation in several key sectors:
• Water supply systems, aimed at enhancing access to clean and reliable water across Liberian communities.
• Waste management strategies, where both cities might exchange practices in sorting, recycling, and sustainable urban hygiene.
• Port operations, leveraging Yokohama’s advanced infrastructure experience to support Liberian maritime and trade enhancements.
• Technical knowledge transfer, involving expertise exchange to build local capacity in infrastructure, administration, and service delivery”, the dispatch continued.
A working framework to advance these collaborative areas was established.
Information Minister, Honorable Jerolimek M. Piah, speaking on the Class Reloaded program recently, explained that President Boakai was ably represented at the EXPO 25 by the Foreign Minister, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti and other government officials. In a telephone conversation, former Cultural Ambassador Juli Endee who heads the Liberian Cultural Expo delegation said her team has been in high spirits and is confidently showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Liberia to Japan and the world at the EXPO in Osaka, Japan.
Al-Jerome Anastas Chede
Minister Counselor
Press and Public Affairs
Embassy Of Liberia
Washington DC
+1 612-23-8051 (Cell)
+1202-723-0437 ext 119
press@liberianembassyus.org
aljay312000@yahoo.com
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