26/06/2026
(The following message was published in the "Diplomatic Keepsake Edition" of TODAY in Seychelles on Friday 26th June 2026.)
The Embassy of Japan in Seychelles extends its warmest congratulations to the Republic of Seychelles on its Golden Jubilee. As we also commemorate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we reflect on the longstanding friendship between Japan and Seychelles and reaffirm our commitment to further deepening our excellent bilateral ties.
In fact, people-to-people ties between Japan and Seychelles began even before diplomatic relations were established. Mr. Shinko Ohashi, also known as Samuel Shingow Ohashi, a renowned Japanese photographer from Miyazu City in Kyoto Prefecture, lived in Seychelles some 120 years ago and produced numerous photographic postcards that vividly captured the country’s history, including images of the streets and port of Victoria, the Clock Tower, government offices, everyday life, giant tortoises, and the islands’ unique flora. On 23 May 2025, the 100th anniversary of his passing, the Embassy, in collaboration with the University of Seychelles, organised a commemorative symposium. His postcards have had a significant impact on the people of Seychelles and are regarded as valuable historical artefacts. Some of his works are on display at the Seychelles National Museum of History, and are also featured in photo books chronicling the history of Victoria.
In the 1980s, the Japan-Seychelles relationship deepened as Seychelles became a popular destination for many Japanese tourists. "The Seychelles Sunset" sung by a famous Japanese singer Seiko Matsuda was created during this time connecting Japan and Seychelles. Seychelles’ stunning natural beauty also captivated Japan’s entertainment industry, drawing well-known Japanese actors for magazine shoots and TV productions.
Tuna forms another vital link between Japan and Seychelles. From the 1980s until recently, many Japanese fishermen travelled to the waters off Seychelles and used longlines to catch thousands of tons of tuna annually, which many Japanese people enjoyed. Unfortunately, Japanese vessels suspended operations in 2009 due to threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia. However, we hope that once the piracy issue is resolved, Japanese fishing vessels will return to the waters of Seychelles.
The Japan-Seychelles diplomatic relations were established on June 29, 1976. Upon Seychelles’ independence on this date, Japan simultaneously recognised Seychelles as a sovereign state. Initially managed by the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi, Kenya, under its concurrent jurisdiction, our diplomatic presence advanced in January 2019 with the opening of the Embassy of Japan in Seychelles. In 2024, the mission was further upgraded with the appointment of the 17th Ambassador as Japan’s first resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Seychelles.
Since Seychelles’ independence, the Government of Japan has provided a wide range of assistance to support the country’s development. Notable projects include the construction of a fishing port in the Providence district, installation of ice-making facilities at the Bel Ombre fishing port, and Study for Coastal Erosion and Flood Control Management. At the grassroots level, support has included the construction of an office and a seed storage facility for the Only Native Plants Nursery for the Terrestrial Restoration Action Society of Seychelles (TRASS), and donation of a fully equipped ambulance to the Red Cross Society of Seychelles; both projects were on Praslin Island. The Deaf Centre in Mont Fleuri was also built through the grassroots assistance project. The total amount of assistance to date in present-value terms amounts to about SCR 800 million; given the value at the time and the impact of the assistance, we believe it is worth many times more.
Furthermore, to date, more than 400 Seychellois have received diverse training in Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Through this training, we believe that Japanese technology and knowledge have contributed significantly to Seychelles' development.
Japan’s scholarship programme, training programmes, and seminars, including those in education, private sector development, statistics, and international law, have contributed to capacity building and mutual understanding. We expect those who have been trained in Japan to serve as bridges between Japan and Seychelles and look forward to their continued cooperation in developing bilateral relations in the future.
Our recent diplomatic activities demonstrate the deep people-to-people ties between our two countries at various levels.
Since 1993, the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) has been organised by the Government of Japan in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC). Government dignitaries from Seychelles, including President James MICHEL, President Danny FAURE, and President Wavel RAMKALAWAN, have attended these conferences, which provided significant opportunities for diplomatic exchanges between Japan and Seychelles. The nineth conference was held in Yokohama in August 2025. The TICAD 9 also contributed to the success of the Japanese Film Festival held in Victoria in February 2026 by expanding its scale through the Japan Foundation’s Africa Tour of the Japanese Film Festival.
The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan was a tremendous success, creating valuable opportunities for both Japan and Seychelles. The Seychelles Pavilion and the National Day ceremony, showcasing Seychelles’ arts, culture, and sustainable tourism, captivated large audiences. The event also fostered reciprocal educational visits by Japanese and Seychellois students, promoting cross-cultural exchange.
Many visitors to the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens in Victoria can see the Friendship Monument standing proudly on the grounds. It was established to commemorate Seychelles’ participation in the International Garden and Greenery Expo in Osaka in 1990. As Seychelles is scheduled to participate in the GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, Japan, we look forward to further exchanges between our two countries.
On June 3, 2026, H.E. Mr. Wallace Cosgrow, Principal Minister and Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy of the Republic of Seychelles, held a meeting with Mr. ONISHI Yohei, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, on the sidelines of the Island States Ocean Summit in Tokyo. Both sides confirmed their commitment to further deepening cooperation between the two countries, taking the opportunity of the Japan-Seychelles 50th year diplomatic relations anniversary.
In May 2026, Japanese Prime Minister TAKAICHI Sanae announced the updated Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary since the FOIP was first proposed by the late Japanese Prime Minister ABE Shinzo in 2016 during his visit to Kenya for TICAD 6. The vision aims to foster regional and global peace and prosperity, underpinned by shared values such as the rule of law and democracy, with a focus on connectivity across the Indo-Pacific. The updated FOIP adds the importance of enhancing resilience and capability to have freedom for countries to decide for themselves amid an increasingly challenging international environment.
As Japan and Seychelles share fundamental values such as the rule of law and democracy, Seychelles is and will continue to be an important partner for Japan in promoting the FOIP.
In April 2026, Mr. OUE Sadamasa, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, visited Seychelles, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Patrick HERMINIE, President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Sebastien PILLAY, Vice-President, and H.E. Mr. Barry FAURE, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, and exchanged views on regional affairs.
Special Advisor OUE stated the importance of promoting the FOIP, and both sides concurred in further promoting cooperation in areas such as maritime security. He also held talks with Major General Michael ROSETTE, Chief of Defence of Seychelles Defence Forces, and exchanged views on security cooperation and concurred in further promoting security cooperation.
Seychelles is located in the Western Indian Ocean, a vital international shipping lane and global transport hub. Around 10% of the yellowfin and bigeye tuna imported into Japan comes from Seychelles. Contributing to maritime security in the region is therefore of critical importance.
In this regard, Japan has supported the field of maritime security not only for Seychelles but also for the Indian Ocean region through efforts such as the construction of the Marine Police Headquarters in Perseverance, the implementation of an Intelligence Analyst Training Course and the workshops for Women Maritime Law Enforcement Officers at the UNODC office.
In recent years, our bilateral defense cooperation has been further strengthened through goodwill exercises during port calls by ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
In the area of marine conservation, Japan has also worked with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to support an initiative focused on collecting discarded fishing nets and transforming them into new fishing nets using advanced technology.
Seychelles faces a challenging environment as a small island nation which is surrounded by the sea and, like Japan, is not necessarily blessed with domestic energy resources. Nevertheless, Seychelles has now become the country with the highest income in Africa only 50 years after independence. Furthermore, Seychelles is achieving remarkable development as a model for African countries in such areas as stable democratic governance, public security, and anti-corruption efforts. We express our utmost respect for these achievements.
Based on the partnership with African countries promoted by the Government of Japan, through the “co-creation of innovative solutions to challenges,” in order to tackle together the global challenges in the fields of economy, society, peace and stability, it is essential to deepen the cooperative relationship between our two countries. We also intend to further invigorate people-to-people exchanges, deepen mutual understanding through cultural exchanges.
26th June 2026
Embassy of Japan in Seychelles
