The Japanese government is on an offensive campaign for the institution of the International Day of Tsunami. In this vein, the country is lobbying for support from friendly countries ahead of the United Nations Conference on Natural Disasters which comes up in March 2016.

The courtesy visit of the Japanese Ambassador to Cameroon, Kunio Okamura, to the Minister of External Relations, Pierre MoukokoMbonjo, on Monday September 7, 2015, was thus intended to solicit Cameroon’s backing for the Japanese bid.

Japan, it should be recalled, was last struck by a violent tsunami in March 2011 during which at least 25,000 people were killed.

Monday’s meeting also enabled both personalities to review bilateral cooperation between both countries in the economic, security and humanitarian aspects. Ambassador Kunio also appealed for Cameroon’s support for the on-going negotiations for reform of the UN Security Council.

While pledging his country’s commitment to continue supporting Cameroon in handling the humanitarian crises in the Far North and East regions, the Japanese diplomat announced that his government is engaged to construct some 10 excellence professional training centres in Africa.

Negotiations at high levels are thus afoot for Cameroon to host one of the centres.