On 4th December 2025, H.E. Ambassador Anderson Mutatembwa accampanied by Ms. Edna Dioniz Chuku, Counsellor Economic Affairs of the Embassy, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Kazusue Konoike, the Honorary Consul of Tanzania in Osaka. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to reconnect and reflect on their long-standing engagement, which spans over three decades since Dr. Konoike’s appointment as Honorary Consul in 1992.

Ambassador Mutatembwa opened the discussion by expressing appreciation for Dr. Konoike’s dedicated service to Tanzania for more than 30 years. He emphasized his readiness to continue working closely with the Honorary Consul to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of both Tanzania and Japan. The Ambassador reiterated the centrality of economic diplomacy in Tanzania’s foreign policy and highlighted ongoing efforts to attract more Japanese investors, expand trade, and explore new market avenues for Tanzanian products, including coffee, tobacco, seafoods, precious metals, among others. 

In his response, Dr. Konoike warmly welcomed the Ambassador and commended the Embassy’s continued efforts to deepen bilateral ties. He highlighted several activities undertaken in 2025 to promote Tanzania in Japan, particularly around the TICAD 9 Summit and OSAKA EXPO - related engagements. These included seminars, symposiums, and roundtable meetings organized in collaboration with the construction sector, Keizai Doyukai, and other economic institutions in Osaka. He noted that these initiatives attracted significant interest from Japanese companies, strengthening Tanzania’s visibility and business presence in the Kansai region.

Dr. Konoike also emphasized the growing academic collaboration between Tanzania and Osaka University, including the active involvement of a Tanzanian professor teaching Kiswahili and various cultural performances by Japanese students during events such as the International Kiswahili Day which is observed annually on July 7. He further highlighted Tanzania Trade and Investment Seminars held in Osaka in March 2024, June 2024 and May 2025, which brought together numerous Japanese enterprises eager to explore opportunities in Tanzania.

The discussion extended to people-to-people exchanges, particularly through sports diplomacy. Dr. Konoike provided an overview of the Osaka Rotary Club’s long-standing support for developing baseball and softball in Tanzania, a programme that has been ongoing for almost a decade. He described the cultural and educational values embedded in Japanese baseball traditions — discipline, respect, and justice — and how these principles have positively impacted Tanzania youth. 

The Ambassador acknowledged the significance of these exchanges, noting that their value transcends sports by contributing to character-building and strengthening grassroots connections between the two countries.

The meeting further touched on recent visits of Tanzanian softball and baseball teams to Japan, hosted by cities such as Takasaki and Yokohama in June and October, respectively. These exchanges included joint training sessions, international competitions, and cultural experiences that helped to deepen mutual understanding.

The discussion concluded with mutual agreement on the importance of sustained follow-up on commitments and partnerships established during the Osaka Expo and other engagements. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

The visit reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to working closely with the Honorary Consul in advancing Tanzania’s interests in the Kansai region and deepening the longstanding friendship between Tanzania and Japan.