In the third and final day of his visit to Japan, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a Courtesy Call on His Excellency Mr. Sadakazu Tanigaki, Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan. At the meeting Foreign Minister Naseem, conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the Maldives for the invaluable assistance provided by Japan for the socio-economic development of the Maldives. Japan has been the biggest development partner of the Maldives for the past four decades . There isn’t a single Maldivian who has not benefited, either directly or indirectly, from the assistance provided by Japan.
Later today, Foreign Minister Naseem, met with H.E. Mr.Takashi Morita, Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and H.E. Katsuhiko Yokomitsu, Senior Vice Minister for Environment.
At the meeting with Vice Minister Morita, Foreign Minister Naseem held discussions regarding the full introduction of the Japanese digital ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) system in the Maldives. He also visited the Nippon Hosou Kyokai (NHK) - (National Broadcasting Corporation), and received a briefing on the ISDB-T system. The Maldives is the second country in Asia to introduce the system. The Maldives is currently conducting test signals.
With Senior Vice Minister Yokomitsu, Minister Naseem, discussed issues relating to the ongoing international negotiations on climate change and in particular, how the Maldives could benefit from the “Bilateral Carbon Offset Mechanism“ of Japan.
Foreign Minister also held discussions with Mr. Yoshihiro Kido, President of Yamaki Co. Ltd., the biggest “Katsuobushi” (Dried Bonito) and related products producer in Japan. “Katsuobushi” is believed to have originated in the Maldives and was introduced to Japan in the early 15th Century. “Katsuobusi” is an essential in Japanese cuisine.
Honorary Consul General of Maldives in Japan, Mr. Isao Tsukamoto, hosted a Luncheon in honour of Minister Naseem this afternoon.
