Message from Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives
2017/1/1
The Embassy of Japan in Maldives was opened for the first time in January 2016. Subsequently, I was appointed as the first resident Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives and assumed the post in Malé in July 2016. The bilateral relations between Japan and Maldives date back to the year 1967 when they established diplomatic relations. I am particularly happy to be appointed as the first resident Ambassador of Japan in Malé at the time when the Republic of Maldives is marching vigorously forward on a new road of development. I wish to take this opportunity to convey my cordial greetings to the people of Maldives.
Looking back on the fifty-years’ history of the relations between the two countries, the foremost memorable symbol of the bilateral relations is the Malé Seawall Project (1988 to 2002) which was constructed under Japan’s Grant Aid scheme. Tidal waves and severe storm in 1987, which broke up tons of landfills and inundated large tracts of land in Malé with seawater, prompted the Government of the Republic of Maldives to request the Government of Japan for the project which protects the whole island with the seawall conjoined with a rim of tetrapod and harbors that provide sheltered anchorage. The project provided for footpath forming an attractive promenade. Japan’s Malé seawall project saved the island from huge potential devastation by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
Japan has provided its Official Development Assistance to the Maldives since 1973 and its initiatives have helped Maldivians to strengthen their resilience to the adverse effects of global climate change including sustainable management of its fishery resources as well as contributing to their social and economic development. As we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Japan-Maldives diplomatic relations in 2017, I wish to express my sincere hope that many ties that bind Japan and the Maldives will grow ever stronger.
Looking back on the fifty-years’ history of the relations between the two countries, the foremost memorable symbol of the bilateral relations is the Malé Seawall Project (1988 to 2002) which was constructed under Japan’s Grant Aid scheme. Tidal waves and severe storm in 1987, which broke up tons of landfills and inundated large tracts of land in Malé with seawater, prompted the Government of the Republic of Maldives to request the Government of Japan for the project which protects the whole island with the seawall conjoined with a rim of tetrapod and harbors that provide sheltered anchorage. The project provided for footpath forming an attractive promenade. Japan’s Malé seawall project saved the island from huge potential devastation by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
Japan has provided its Official Development Assistance to the Maldives since 1973 and its initiatives have helped Maldivians to strengthen their resilience to the adverse effects of global climate change including sustainable management of its fishery resources as well as contributing to their social and economic development. As we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Japan-Maldives diplomatic relations in 2017, I wish to express my sincere hope that many ties that bind Japan and the Maldives will grow ever stronger.
Kazumi Endo
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives