Japan, Botswana host exhibition
Mompati Tlhankane | Sunday October 31, 2021 06:00
The reception celebrated the opening of the Photo Exhibition displaying over 150 pictures taken by Japanese and Batswana of their stay in the two respective host countries. Attendees took a tour of the photo exhibition and enjoyed the photos of Japan taken by Batswana, uniquely portraying how Batswana see Japan and interact with Japanese people.
There are photos of Botswana taken by Japanese residents, providing an opportunity to see Botswana through the lens of people who come from a different background. The exhibition will be open to public until the November 8, 2021. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1966, the same year the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland gained Independence as the Republic of Botswana. Acting Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Kabo Morwaeng attended the reception as the Guest of Honuor along side many distinguished guests who contributed in building and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ambassador of Japan to Botswana, Hoshiyama Takashi, expressed his delight to host the reception and touched upon the path of collaborative relations that the two countries have walked over the past 55 years.
He recollected on the various assistance and support Japan received from Botswana, in bilateral, regional and international sphere, and thanked especially for the generous donation the government of Botswana and its people gave to Japan when the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake hit Japan 10 years ago. Looking towards the next 55 years, Ambassador Takashi pointed out the many areas that the two countries can cooperate in this globalised world and looked forward to seeing more trusting bilateral relations supported by strong partnership.
For his part ,Morwaeng recognised Japan as one of the first countries that Botswana established her diplomatic relations with and that Japan has been and still is one of the major development partners supporting Botswana. Morwaeng congratulated the long standing relations, pointing out the importance of taking stock of past and present achievements and to re-commit to propel the already excellent relations to greater heights in the new decade.