Story by ZBC Reporter
THE Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda, has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, for a four-day parliamentary bilateral visit at the invitation of his counterpart, Mr Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in coordination with the President of the House of Councillors, Mr Masakazu Sekiguchi.
He is accompanied by Members of Parliament Hon. Tawanda Karikoga, Hon. Sibongile Maphosa, Hon. Patricia Kundlande and Hon. Knowledge Kaitano.
Ahead of formal engagements, Speaker Mudenda received a comprehensive briefing from Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Japan, Stewart Nyakotyo, who outlined the Embassy’s work in advancing Zimbabwe’s political and economic interests, particularly through the Second Republic’s economic diplomacy agenda. In response, the Speaker commended the Embassy staff for their dedication and urged continued commitment in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
During the visit, Speaker Mudenda and his delegation are expected to meet with Mr Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Mr Masakazu Sekiguchi, President of the House of Councillors; the Japan-AU Parliamentary Association; representatives of SORA Technology and NEC, multinational firms specialising in artificial intelligence, IT, networking and biometric solutions; and Dr Shinichi Kitaoka, Special Advisor with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The discussions will focus on reinforcing parliamentary ties, expanding trade and investment opportunities, enhancing cooperation in innovation and technology, particularly in agriculture, health and ICT, as well as securing Japan’s support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term.
Zimbabwe and Japan have maintained cordial relations since 1980, with Japan contributing significantly to Zimbabwe’s infrastructure, human capital development, and food security through aid and technical cooperation.
President Mnangagwa’s recent visit to Japan for the Osaka Expo and the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) underscored both nations’ commitment to strengthening ties.
The Yokohama Declaration of TICAD9 echoed Zimbabwe’s calls for debt justice, value-chain development, and affordable climate financing.
Speaker Mudenda’s visit is expected to consolidate these diplomatic gains, while also advancing legislative benchmarking processes to improve the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and Japan.
