Japan-Djibouti Relations

 

Diplomatic Relations

1977 -- Japan Recognizes Djibouti
1989 -- Djibouti Opens an Embassy in Tokyo

Bilateral Agreement

1999 -- Agreement on Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers

Summary of Japan-Djibouti Relations

Although Djibouti’s location on the east coast of Africa makes it seem as if there should be some strong links between Japan and Djibouti, little or no research is available on the topic. Japan has supported the peace process in Djibouti from afar and has welcomed positive developments, but does not seem to have ever taken an active role. Japan also supplies a modest amount on aid to Djibouti, but this small amount makes it the second largest donor after France.

In the 1980s and 1990s, some Japanese fleeing from South Yemen were given temporary refuge by the government of Djibouti. Also, after the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake, the president of Djibouti donated US$10,000 to aid the victims.

State Visits, 1993-2005

1993 -- Foreign Minister Koji Kakizawa Visits Djibouti
1993 -- Foreign Minister Abdou Block Abdou Visits Tokyo
1995 -- President Hassan Gouled Aptidon Visits Tokyo
1997 -- Foreign Minister Mohamed Moussa Chehem Visits Tokyo
1998 -- President Hassan Gouled Aptidon Twice Visits Tokyo

Economic and Trade Relations

In 2005, direct trade relations between Japan and Djibouti were negligible, although Djibouti did import some Japanese automobiles.

MOFA Webpage

Japan-Djibouti Relations

Embassy Webpage

Japan does not maintain an embassy in Djibouti, but rather handles the bilateral relationship through its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Embassy of Djibouti in Tokyo

Local News in English

Afrol News - Djibouti
All Africa - Djibouti
Google News - Djibouti
IRIN - Djibouti

2005 Newsletters

None

2006 Newsletters

214 -- The Absence of Islamic African History in Japan
300 -- The Foreign Minister of Djibouti Visits Tokyo

2007 Newsletters

864 -- The Very Long Countdown to TICAD IV

Information for the “Japan-Djibouti Relations” page was compiled by Michael Penn