TANAKA Akihiko

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, left, and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka, right

JICA President Akihiko Tanaka held talks with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado in Tokyo on July 23. It was the first time in 10 years a Honduran president had visited Japan.

Tanaka began by noting that this year is the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Central American countries and the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of an agreement to send Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers to Honduras, and he said he hopes Japan's relationship with Honduras continues to deepen. He welcomed Hernández to Japan and the two discussed JICA's cooperation with Honduras.

Hernández then thanked JICA for its indelible record of contribution to the building up of the nation of Honduras. He said Honduras welcomes the resumption of loan assistance after 25 years. He also expressed hope for continued cooperation from JICA toward the development of Honduras, mentioning the possibilities of economic development through, for example, the plan to turn Honduras into a Logistic Center, and the possibility of Japanese volunteers working in the areas of sports and culture.

In response, Tanaka said he expects the Cañaveral and Río Lindo Hydropower Strengthening Project, the agreement for which was signed in March, to be implemented steadily, and that JICA will consider sending more volunteers to work in the sports area.

Tanaka concluded by saying that for the sustainable socioeconomic growth of Honduras, JICA would like to continue discussions on future assistance with Honduran government officials in consultation with the government of Japan.

JICA will continue providing assistance in the areas of regional development, disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation, in which the government of Honduras is engaged.