Ethiopia and Japan relation is flourishing from time to time through different technological and financial agreements. Among the agreements is financial aid of 2.8 million Dollars Japanese government granted to Ethiopia. Such amount of financial aid should be considered as the manifestation of strong ties between the two countries since long ago.
To begin with the two nations’ modern era relation, Japan and Ethiopia have a long and friendly relations dating back to 1930s. Besides their international relations, the two nations share similar history. Both were nations with an ancient history which successfully repulsed European military advances to dominate them, Ethiopia at the Battle of Adwa, and Japan at the Battle of Tsushima, and as a result both nations considered each other potential allies prior to World War II, documents reveal.
Regarding their prewar relation, both countries signed a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce in 1930. The next year, Ethiopia reached out to her potential Asian ally when Ethiopian Foreign Minister Heruy Welde Sellase visited Japan in 1931, dramatizing the possible benefits—economic and military—of cooperation between the two countries. He was received very warmly both by government officials and by the people of Japan. In particular, Japanese ultra-nationalists, wishing to lead an alliance of the “colored peoples” of the world, believed that Ethiopia would play a crucial role in that alliance.
Despite inopportune situations happened during World War II that created a disparity between the two nations, they have restored their relations post war. In 1955 for instance, Japan and Ethiopia re-established diplomatic ties, and three years later they exchanged ambassadors.
Such good relations have been further strengthened in recent times via different activities such as financial aid, technology transfer and experience sharing.
Regarding financial aid, Japan recently granted 2.8 million Dollars to Ethiopia aimed at supporting its developmental activities in terms of economy and social aspects.
Representing both sides, Daisuke Matsunaga, Japanese ambassador to Ethiopia and Admasu Nebebe, State Minster, Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia signed the agreement recently at the conference hall of the ministry.
As it was elaborated on the occasion, the financial aid is intended to fostering Ethiopia’s endeavor in economic and social development activities. Basically it serves to equip hospitals in Addis Ababa with medical armamentariums.
Ambassador Daisuke stated on the occasion that Japan is making alert participation in supporting Ethiopia’s development activity by giving priority for the health sector. To come up with something tangible, Japan is playing its utmost role in contributing its share while Ethiopia is carrying out multidimensional development programs that improve lives of its people.
He further explained that Japan’s aid to Ethiopia continues in health, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, education and other sectors. The current aid aims at backing Ethiopia’s effort to improve the health sector especially in boosting quality of first aid and delivery service.
Provision of medical armamentariums will be done in accordance with their requisite succeeding screening out the shortage of medical equipment in hospitals by the Ministry of Health. These medical materials are also disseminated to institutions which provide health education having in mind that they can utilize as teaching materials, explained the ambassador.
Admasu Nebebe, State Minister, Ministry of Finance, for his part, said that the aim of the aid is backing government’s effort in improving the health service. In addition, the aid supports nation’s endeavor to improve provision of health service in universities and hospitals those provide medical training.
As of the state minister, Japan’s aid to Ethiopia is compatible with the developmental chores the country gives priority. The economic cooperation of the two nations has vigorously sustained for many years and the developmental aid has become widened through time.
Adding, Admasu pointed out that the official visit to be held by Premier Abiy Ahmed to Japan in the near future is expected to play important role in reinforcing the economic cooperation and diplomatic ties of the nations.
For her part, Sahrala Abdulahi, State Minister, Ministry of Health, said that among the medical armamentariums to be purchased are microscope, mammography, endoscopy, and other equipment in which shortage is observed.
On the other hand, Ethiopia is showing ardent willingness for technology transfer and investment attraction from Japan.
Cham Ugala Uriat, Ethiopia’s new Ambassador to Japan told The Japan Times that introducing Japanese technology and investment projects to Ethiopia would not only speed up its growth but could also serve as a gateway to Africa. The ambassador, who officially assumed his position in April, wants to attract Japanese companies and introduce their technologies to Ethiopia.
Drawings on Japan’s experience, and with its assistance, many Ethiopian firms have introduced kaizen (improvement) philosophy, which has helped reduce production costs and “makes workers more disciplined,” he said.
He acknowledged the high technological achievements of Japanese firms, and noted that mid-size companies that entered markets in Asia and the Middle East years ago would also be a good fit for Ethiopia’s economic environment.
The ambassador believes that Japanese technology will speed up Ethiopia’s growth, and with investment projects in sectors such as the textile industry, will help Ethiopia become the region’s textile hub by 2025.
He sees the strengthening of bilateral ties as an opportunity for both nations, in sectors including agricultural processing and pharmaceuticals. But the ambassador believes his biggest challenge will be to convince Japanese firms to invest in his country.
Nonetheless, the ambassador hopes the opening of the government-led Japan External Trade Organization office in the capital, Addis Ababa, will bolster bilateral trade relations.
The ambassador added that bilateral dialogue has already resulted in some projects aimed to introduce Japan’s technology to the country.
For instance, he mentioned that Japan’s academics have been helping prepare curricula for post-graduate engineering programs at Ethiopia’s universities, and that students will become a bridge between Japan and the continent.
“They will (also) be much more aware with Japanese working culture,” he said.
The ethiopian Herald August 20, 2019
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
