Greetings from Ambassador Sakuta

I am Makoto Sakuta, and I am honored to serve as the first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Seychelles. On December 17, I had the privilege of presenting my credentials to President Wavel Ramkalawan. As I step into this role, I would like to share a few thoughts about this important occasion and the bright future that lies ahead for our two nations.
 
Japan's relationship with Seychelles has deep roots. In 1976, upon Seychelles' independence from the United Kingdom, Japan promptly recognized Seychelles as a sovereign state and established diplomatic relations on June 29, the very day of its independence. For decades, the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi held concurrent jurisdiction over Seychelles. This changed in January 2019, when Japan established an Embassy in Victoria, the capital city of Seychelles, marking a significant milestone in our bilateral relations. Now, in 2024, as Japan's first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Seychelles, I am honored to build upon this foundation and further strengthen the diplomatic ties between our two nations.
 
In August 2024, then-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Kamikawa Yoko, held a meeting with Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, Seychelles' Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, during the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in Japan. Their discussions highlighted the importance of the newly upgraded Japanese Embassy in Seychelles and the opportunities it brings to enhance collaboration. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing our partnership, particularly as we prepare for TICAD 9 in 2025. As the Ambassador, I am dedicated to translating these aspirations into tangible progress and ensuring our relationship continues to flourish.
 
Japan is steadfast in its commitment to promoting a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," a vision aimed at fostering peace and prosperity both within the region and globally. This initiative is underpinned by shared values such as the rule of law and democracy. Seychelles, located in the Indian Ocean—a strategic corridor linking Africa's vast potential with Asia's remarkable growth—is a vital partner in this vision. As island nations with extensive Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), Japan and Seychelles face shared challenges, including fisheries management, ocean conservation, and resilience to disasters exacerbated by global warming. Moreover, our collaboration extends to addressing critical issues such as piracy, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and other maritime crimes.
 
Tourism is another vital link between our countries. Japan has recently experienced a surge in tourism, bringing both opportunities and challenges, such as managing over-tourism. In this regard, Japan has much to learn from Seychelles, which has successfully balanced tourism with environmental conservation to protect its stunning natural heritage. Seychelles serves as a model of how tourism can coexist harmoniously with sustainability, and I look forward to fostering exchanges of knowledge in this area.
 
Looking ahead, 2025 offers exciting opportunities to further our partnership. TICAD 9, organized by the Government of Japan in collaboration with the United Nations, UNDP, World Bank, and African Union Commission, will be held in Yokohama. This pivotal conference will provide a platform for deepening collaboration between Japan and African nations, including Seychelles. Additionally, Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, will showcase Seychelles' participation and celebrate the bonds of friendship and shared vision between our countries.
 
As I approached the island of Mahé for the first time, I was struck by the breathtaking beauty of Seychelles. The lush green islands with high mountains and blue sea are a testament to this nation's unparalleled natural heritage. Often referred to as the last paradise on Earth, Seychelles is a beacon of ecological stewardship, with half of its territory designated as a nature reserve. I feel truly privileged to serve as Japan's first resident Ambassador to this remarkable country, a democratic state that continues to thrive economically while preserving its natural splendor. I am committed to strengthening the enduring partnership between our two nations and to working hand in hand with the people of Seychelles to achieve our shared goals.