The current Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Moldova in his career translated for Ceausescu, Iliescu, Constantinescu and Basescu and also from Romanian for Emperor Akihito. As regards the famous in Moldova wiring business, this offers honorable earnings to about 5,000 Moldovans. This and other subjects that connect Moldova and Japan were treated by Ambassador Yoshihiro Katayama in an interview for IPN News Agency.
The privileged nature of Moldo-Japanese cooperation comes from the wish of the strong Eastern state to help, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in March 1991, the young country that was committed to building a democracy based on the universal values, such as the rule of law, human rights, and market economy which are fundamental for Japan as well.
And since then, assistance programs have expanded in almost all areas of the Moldovan socio-economic life, including the modernization of agriculture, strengthening the healthcare system, improving the educational environment, supporting local initiatives, increasing sustainable energy production, preserving the national heritage, promoting culture and art, exchanging Japanese know-how with Moldovan civil servants, strengthening the fire prevention and response capacity, and others. Japan, like other development partners, supports Moldova's efforts to become a modern and democratic state, in which the fundamental principles of rule of law, human rights and market economy are ensured, and which harmoniously integrates into the international community and economy.
The ambassador noted the grant assistance for unprivileged farmers launched in 2000, known to the public as “2KR”. Thanks to them, thousands of farmers across the country, with modest financial opportunities, were able to modernize their agricultural equipment. Japan has also launched other programs in this area, such as the “Project for Improvement of Equipment for the National Training Center for Agricultural Mechanization” in 2007, the “Economic and Social Development Programme” in 2016, and the “Project for Modernization of Agricultural Machineries and Equipment” in 2020. “I am very impressed that the Japanese assistance is highly valued among Moldovan farmers, who over time have become more productive and competitive, expanding their business, creating new jobs and added value,” stated the diplomat.
Yoshihiro Katayama underlined the importance of foreign investment for developing countries like Moldova. “I do consider that Moldova has all the prerequisites to become attractive in IT and outsourcing for foreign companies, including the Japanese, thanks to its advantages in terms availability of multilingual workforce, moderate costs and network infrastructure. I understand that Moldovan authorities have been working to create better investment conditions for foreign investors. Therefore, I am ready to work together with the Moldovan side in making these advantages known by the potential Japanese investors. Of course, the conflict in Ukraine brought a great uncertainty into the investment process in Moldova, but I would like to express the hope that there will be peace, and foreign investors, also the Japanese, will come to Moldova,” said the ambassador.
