In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on 8 August 2008, Japan has welcomed the ratification of the Maldives new constitution by  President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Thursday, 7 August 2008.

Welcoming the ratification of the constitution by President Gayoom, the statement said that “Japan believes that this is a major step forward in materializing the democratic reform under President Gayoom.”

Japan also expressed hope that the Presidential election planned to be held before 10 October 2008 would proceed in a peaceful, free and fair manner.

“Japan will continue to assist the efforts by the Government of Maldives towards democracy”, the statement said.

Responding to the statement, the Maldives Foreign Minister, Hon. Abdulla Shahid, thanked the Government of Japan for the support and cooperation  the Maldives continues to receive from Japan in effecting democratic change in the country.