BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabwe is set to benefit from Japanese development experiences when Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Special Adviser, Dr Shinichi Kitaoka, gives a lecture to Parliamentarians and Senators during his scheduled visit next month.
This was revealed by the Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Shinichi Yamanaka, when he paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda at New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden on Friday.
Ambassador Yamanaka said Dr Kitaoka’s lecture titled “Japan’s Development Journey”, will be delivered on October 8.
“Objectives of the lecture are to share information on Japan’s development experience, to identify lessons from Japan, for developing countries in Africa and to exchange ideas on development opportunities and paths for Africa.”
His Excellency Yamanaka further said that “we hope this lecture will contribute for the Sustainable Development of Zimbabwe based upon the past experiences of Japan.
“After the World War 2, we had a very difficult situation but we achieved and developed so maybe we can give some lessons to Zimbabwean people and Parliamentarians.”
The impending lecture is said to have been culmination of prior discussions which Ambassador Yamanaka had with Advocate Mudenda during a courtesy call in January this year.
It is said Advocate Mudenda had expressed his desire to learn from the Japanese development experience and Ambassador Yamanaka proposed to have Dr Kitaoka deliver a lecture.
JICA is said to have started establishing JICA Chair Lecture Series at various foreign universities and government entities in 2021.
And over the years, the programme has benefited countries such as Mozambique, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Madagascar and South Africa.
Prior to becoming Special Adviser to JICA, Dr Kitaoka is said to have been the President of JICA and previously, he was President of the International University of Japan.
“Dr Kitaoka’s academic career includes Professorship posts at top institutions such as: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Graduate Schools of Law and Politics, University of Tokyo; and College of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University.
“He also served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (2004-2006).
“Dr Kitaoka is an expert in modern Japanese politics and diplomacy.
“His qualifications include, BA (1971) and PhD (1976), both from the University of Tokyo. Dr Kitaoka is Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo. He is published author with various books and articles in Japanese and English. He is a recipient of several honours and awards including the Medal with Purple Ribbon for his academic achievements in 2011.”
