Tokyo, Japan (Dawan Africa) Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya received Djibouti’s National Assembly President Dileita Mohamed Dileita in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. The two leaders held talks focused on strengthening bilateral ties in maritime security, infrastructure, and regional stability—three pillars at the heart of Japan’s expanding strategic vision in East Africa.
“Djibouti is the anchor point between Asia and Europe,” said Minister Iwaya. “Our partnership is built on shared interests and a common commitment to maritime freedom and an open Indo-Pacific.”
The meeting, held on June 13, comes as Japan steps up its diplomatic and security presence in the Red Sea corridor, identifying Djibouti as the gateway to the wider Horn of Africa—a region increasingly seen as vital to global trade, energy routes, and geopolitical influence.
Japan has maintained its only official overseas military base in Djibouti since 2011. Located near Ambouli International Airport, the facility hosts more than 600 personnel from the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and has supported over 3,500 operations, including anti-piracy patrols and protection of key shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
But Japan’s strategy extends beyond security. Since 2000, Tokyo has delivered over $150 million in development assistance to Djibouti, funding projects in infrastructure, health, and education. More than 100 Djiboutian students and professionals have received scholarships and training opportunities in Japan through JICA and MEXT programs.
Speaker Dileita commended Japan’s long-term partnership, emphasizing that Djibouti’s strategic location and political stability offer an ideal launching point for deeper regional cooperation.
“Japan has been a reliable partner in supporting Djibouti’s development. Our collaboration is essential not just for our country, but for the peace and progress of the Horn of Africa,” he said.
As Tokyo recalibrates its Indo-Pacific strategy, analysts note that Djibouti is becoming a cornerstone of Japan’s East African diplomacy—offering access to critical sea lanes, stability in a turbulent region, and a diplomatic channel into the continent’s future.
