Eino Vatileni
Japanese Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Asazuma Shinichi, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Hon. Dr. Tobie Aupindi, and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Planning and Public Administration, Hon. Ipumbu Shiimi, at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
The visit served as a follow-up to discussions initiated during the ambassador’s engagement with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources in March this year, where both sides explored opportunities to deepen Namibia-Japan cooperation, particularly in natural resource development, value addition, skills transfer, and investment.
During the meeting, ambassador Asazuma expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the March discussions and reaffirmed Japan’s growing interest in Namibia’s investment landscape. He praised Namibia’s peaceful and stable environment, describing it as conducive to foreign investment.
The ambassador noted that Japanese companies are increasingly positioning themselves within Namibia’s extractive industries. He highlighted the involvement of Toyota Tsusho Corporation in a rare earth minerals project and MODEC’s investment in the country’s emerging oil and gas sector.
He further acknowledged the contribution of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in supporting Namibia’s development efforts, while noting that Namibia’s middle-income country status presents certain limitations regarding development assistance.
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Dr. Aupindi welcomed the growing interest from Japanese companies, emphasizing that Namibia offers significant opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
“Natural resource beneficiation must become the centrepiece of any investor coming to Namibia. This should include the transfer of skills and technology, as well as the training of young Namibians in high-tech industries. Japan, as a technologically advanced nation, has much to offer Namibia, a country endowed with abundant natural resources that can be harnessed for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Hon. Ipumbu Shiimi also welcomed the ambassador’s continued engagement with Parliament and expressed appreciation for Japan’s efforts to promote investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Namibia and Japan to strengthening bilateral relations through investment, industrial development, skills transfer, and the sustainable utilization of natural resources.
