H.E. Takei Shunsuke, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday morning.

At the meeting held at the President’s Office, the President welcomed H.E. Takei Shunsuke to the Maldives and conveyed best wishes to the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Fumio Kishida. The President and the Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs shed light on the longstanding bilateral relations between the Maldives and Japan and noted that this year marks the 55th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Solih and H.E. Shunsuke also discussed various matters of mutual interest, including enhancing socio-economic cooperation, regional security, people-to-people contact, disaster prevention, waste management, and climate change. President Solih stated that Japan is a significant development partner for the Maldives and extended his gratitude to the Japanese government for its generosity and assistance over the years.

In conclusion, President Solih and H.E. Shunsuke expressed their mutual commitment to continue working together for the common good of both countries. The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1967.