Japan Reaffirms for the Third Time at TICAD-9 Summit its Non-Recognition of the Separatist Entity

At the very start of the summit, ahead of the official proceedings, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya delivered a solemn statement on behalf of his government, stressing that “the presence of an entity not recognized by Japan as a state does not in any way affect Japan’s position regarding the status of this entity.”

This clarification was the sole point addressed in the Foreign Minister’s opening remarks after the usual courtesies, sending an unequivocal signal of Japan’s firm stance and its rejection of attempts to instrumentalize separatist elements and divert the summit from its primary mission of addressing Africa’s development challenges.

This triple reaffirmation follows a similar declaration by Mr. Iwaya on Tuesday during the ministerial opening meeting, where he underlined his country’s official position on the so-called entity.

“I would like to make it clear that the presence at this meeting of any entity not recognized by Japan as a state does not in any way affect Japan’s position regarding the status of that entity,” said Mr. Iwaya in front of African ministers and representatives of international organizations.

Likewise, Tuesday’s preparatory senior officials’ meeting for TICAD-9 was marked by a firm Japanese clarification on its non-recognition of the separatist entity.

Japan also expressed its reservation about the presence of the separatist entity, noting that it had refused to extend an invitation and had only invited “countries with which Japan maintains diplomatic relations,” while pointing out that “it was the African Union Commission that invited all its members.”

Morocco is represented at the TICAD-9 Summit by His Majesty the King’s Ambassador to Japan, Mohamed Rachad Bouhlal.

According to the organizers, this edition of TICAD, held under the theme “Co-creating Innovative Solutions with Africa,” aims to align the African Union’s development objectives with those of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The summit also seeks to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Africa in technological innovation, while opening new markets in areas such as digital transition, sustainable development, and social inclusion.

As part of this vision, the “TICAD Business Expo” brings together 196 Japanese companies and organizations, including 107 small and medium-sized enterprises. Exhibitors are showcasing their innovations across eight key sectors, including infrastructure, public health, agri-food value chains, and popular culture.

Editorial team/le7tv