66th Anniversary of the Independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo Marked in Tokyo
On 30 June 2026, the Embassy held an official reception at the Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo for the 66th anniversary of the DRC's independence, bringing together senior Japanese officials, parliamentarians, diplomats and the Congolese diaspora.
On 30 June 2026, the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Japan, under the high patronage of His Excellency Professor Lukumwena Nsenda, held an official reception at the prestigious Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo to mark the 66th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ceremony opened with a minute of silence in tribute to compatriots and all victims of conflict, and in memory of those who lost their lives.
The event brought together senior representatives of the Japanese government, including Her Excellency Ms Ayano Kunimitsu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Mr Shinichi Nakatani, Vice-Minister of Finance, and Mr Hirobumi Niki, Vice-Minister of Health. Members of the Japanese Parliament also attended, including Mr Aisawa, Chair of the Japan–African Union Parliamentary Friendship Group, along with several other parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, institutional partners, representatives of JOGMEC, JICA and JETRO, companies, investors, and representatives of the Congolese diaspora in Japan.
In his address, the Ambassador reaffirmed the DRC's commitment to a strategic partnership with Japan founded on equality, co-creation and innovation for shared prosperity. Discussions covered key topics such as the DRC's strategic role in the global energy transition, supply-chain resilience, the transformation of natural resources, inclusive AI development, and strengthening economic partnerships. The event also highlighted the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative and the African Union's Agenda 2063, which aims to achieve the continent's integration and prosperity while delivering concrete benefits to its citizens.
His Excellency expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government and people, and to all those present, for their friendship and commitment to the partnership between the two nations. The day concluded in a festive atmosphere, with an evening reception bringing together the Congolese diaspora and Japanese friends around Congolese cuisine, music and dance.