President William Ruto delivering a speech at Yakohama, Japan. Photo/State House
By Daisy Okiring
President William Ruto received a standing ovation on Wednesday after addressing the Yokohama City Council Assembly in Japan, where he underscored the importance of global solidarity in solving pressing challenges of the modern world.
Ruto, who is attending the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), told the assembly that Kenya remains committed to working with Japan and the wider global community to promote peace, sustainable development, and shared prosperity.
“Humanity has always thrived through cooperation in today’s interconnected world,” he said to resounding applause. “Our interdependence is more evident than ever, whether responding to pandemics, mitigating climate change, combating food insecurity, or maintaining peace.”
Call for cooperation and shared values
The President emphasized that democracy, freedom, and the rule of law remain the foundation for global action, urging nations to strengthen collaboration. In a symbolic close to his remarks, he thanked the audience in Swahili, English, and Japanese: “Asante sana, I thank you, Arigato gozaimasu,” drawing further applause.
Yokohama City Council President Takeshi Shibuya and Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka welcomed Ruto’s message of unity, praising Kenya’s role in promoting African partnerships with Japan.
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Ruto also highlighted the human side of diplomacy, pointing to cultural exchanges in music, sports, drama, and education as vital in breaking stereotypes and fostering closer bonds between nations. He singled out the long-standing partnership between Yokohama Commercial School and Alliance High School in Kenya, saying it was nurturing the next generation of global leaders.
Kenya-Japan partnership and investment prospects
During his visit, the Head of State also addressed the Kenya Investment Forum, where he announced increased multinational interest in the country. Japan is Kenya’s third-largest source of official development assistance, having provided more than $5 billion (Sh650 billion) in the past six decades.
“The support has gone into geothermal development in Olkaria and port expansion in Mombasa, among others,” Ruto said, adding that over 120 Japanese companies are already operating in Kenya.
He noted that Kenya’s expanding economy offers opportunities for Japanese investors in digital transformation, universal health coverage, precision farming, electric vehicle production, and green energy industrialization.
The three-day TICAD 9 summit officially opened in Yokohama on Wednesday, bringing together African leaders, Japanese officials, and business executives to strengthen trade and development ties.
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