News in 2011

President congratulates Japan's Emperor

[20/December/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh sent on Tuesday a congratulation cable to Japanese Emperor Akihito on the occasion of his Birthday.

Japan intends to raise development aid to Yemen

[11/December/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsuo Nouri Nampa said Sunday that his country was intended to increase its development aid to Yemen. During his meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa, Nampa said that Japan would offer all required assistance to the new government to overcome the current challenges Yemen faces. The Japanese diplomat conveyed his government's congratulations and satisfaction with forming the National Reconciliation Government and beginning the implementation of the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism. The Premier voiced his appreciation of the Japanese aid to Yemen's development as well as its intension to raise its aid to the country, particularly in the current circumstances. Basindwa indicated to the damage in the national economy recently, stressing that restoring the country's security and improving the basic services are high priority of the government. The Prime Minister discussed with the Japanese ambassador some topics on resuming the implementation of the Japanese-funded development projects in Yemen.

FM, Japanese diplomat discuss national developments

[19/November/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi met here on Saturday with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsuo Nouri Nampa. During the meeting, al-Qirbi discussed with Mr. Nampa the latest developments in domestic arena and the efforts exerted by the political leadership and the government to end the ongoing crisis in the country.

Japan to offer economic support for Yemen, Japanese diplomat says

[23/August/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japan will offer economic support and the required assistance within the Yemeni-Japanese cooperation framework, Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsuo Nouri Nampa said on Tuesday. During a meeting gathered him with Vice President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi, the two officials discussed issues related to the two friendly countries' relations as well as developments at the local arena. Hadi made reference to the course of dialogues, meetings and consultations at various levels in order to overcome the country's ongoing crisis which has a bad impact on Yemenis and the country's economy. He also noted to the keenness to stop dragging the country into violence, chaos, and sabotage. For his part, the Japanese diplomat affirmed his country's stand position towards Yemen's unity, stability and security.

Time to return donors' activities to Yemen comes, official says

[22/August/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Minister of Trade and Industry Hisham Sharaf said Monday that time came for the return of development partners' activities to Yemen. During his meeting with Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsuo Nouri Nampa, Sharaf asserted that the economic and development situations in Yemen were returning to normal that would pave the way for reaching solutions realizing Yemen's interest. The situation in Yemen is getting more stable and secured thanks to efforts the Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi exerts jointly with all political powers and social and tribal figures and in coordination with the brotherly and friendly countries envoys, Sharaf said. The Japanese diplomat stressed his country's interest in the stability, security and returning the situation to normal in Yemen, saying that would ease the return of the donors to the country to assist in the development and construction processes. Sharaf and Nampa discussed the economic and political developments in Yemen as well as the bilateral cooperation relations in various areas.

Mechanism to distribute Japanese-aid tractors in Yemen discussed

[20/March/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - The Japanese-aid Steering Committee in Agricultural and Irrigation Ministry discussed here on Sunday the procedures to distribute 348 tractors granted from Japan for supporting agricultural development in Yemen. The committee chaired by Agricultural and Irrigation Minister Mansour al-Hawshabi, reviewed the mechanism to distribute the tractors in the light of the nominations of the farmers and agricultural cooperatives sent from the governorates. The committee was briefed on the executed procedures to distribute the tractors to the agricultural cooperatives in the needed districts and governorates.

Yemenis in Japan can return home, says official source

[18/March/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh has ordered the government to help Yemenis residing in Japan to return home at its expense, an official source at Foreign Ministry said on Friday. Speaking to Saba, the source said Yemenis in Japan included students and diplomats, noting that the ministry allows any member of Yemen's diplomatic mission in Japan- wishing to return to Yemen - to do that. The source also confirmed that Saleh's directives had came in the framework of his keenness on the life of the Yemenis and their families residing in Japan.

Yemen prepares to move its citizens in Japan within 48 hours

[18/March/2011]

TOKYO (Saba) - The Yemeni embassy in Japan is currently preparing to help 13 Yemeni people, mostly children and women, in the quake-rattled Japan travel within 48 hours as directed by President Ali Abdullah Saleh at the cost of the Yemeni government. In a statement by the Yemeni ambassador to Japan Marwan Numan to Saba, he pointed out that the embassy is in direct contact with the Yemeni community who are figured at 51 people. The ambassador affirmed that there are no injuries or harms incurred on any Yemeni citizen in Japan.

Yemeni family evacuated from Japan

[17/March/2011]

TOKYO (Saba) - A Yemeni family has been evacuated from Japan that has been hit by quake and tsunami last Friday, the weekly 26 September reported on Thursday. Yemeni ambassador to Japan Marwan al-Nu'aman told the weekly that the family was living in within the quake stricken area, affirming that the seven-member family is fine. The family was transported to Tokyo and then to Sana'a, he added. Al-Nu'aman said that no one of the Yemeni community in Japan has been hurt due to the earthquake or the nuclear radiation. An 8.9-magnitude quake and tsunami struck Japan on Friday claiming the lives of over 5,000 people.

Japanese technical support to Yemen reviewed

[15/March/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Yemen and Japan discussed here on Tuesday the possible technical support Japan could provide to train Yemeni cadres in various fields, mainly in industry and power. The discussions took place at a meeting gathered Minister of Trade and Industry Hesham Sharaf and Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsunori Namba. Sharaf and Namba reviewed also the new Japanese aid to the Radiotherapy Center at the 48th Model Hospital worth $6 million. The mutual cooperation areas between the two friendly countries in the economic, trade and investment areas were touched upon in the meeting. The two officials accented the deep-rooted relationship that ties Yemen and Japan and the common commitment to enlarge it to cover all areas. At the meeting, Sharaf offered the deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people for the victims of Friday's earthquake and tsunami causing grievous human and material losses, expressing his great confidence of the Japanese people capability to overcome the crisis and build what has been devastated by the natural disaster. He also valued the continuous support provided by Japan in health and educational sectors, looking forward to further aid in the future in the industrial and investment fields and in propping up the government's efforts in alleviating poverty. He stressed the importance to benefit form the developed Japanese experiences and the modern technology to develop Yemen's industries. He hailed the Japanese efficient role under the Yemen's Friends Group and the expectant role in the coming meeting to be convened in Riyadh late in March. For his part, Namba renewed the confirmation of continuing the Japanese support to Yemen to implement the ten priorities and the four five-year plan for economic and social development and reducing poverty 2011-2015, affirming his country's policy supporting Yemen's unity, stability and security.

President Saleh condoles on victims of Japan earthquake

[12/March/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - President Ali Abdullah Saleh sent on Saturday a cable of condolences to Japan's Emperor Akihito on the victims of the earthquake disaster witnessed by Japan. In the cable, President Saleh voiced sympathy and solidarity of Yemen's leadership, government and people with friendly people of Japan and the victims' families. Powerful earthquake has struck the north-east coast of Japan, triggering a massive tsunami. Officials say 350 people are dead and about 500 missing, but it is feared the final death toll will be much higher.

Yemen, JICA discuss cooperation in education areas

[07/March/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - A Yemeni official has met with JICA officials to discuss cooperation aspects in education areas. Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi and the JICA Resident Representative in Yemen Office Takeshi Komori reviewed the JICA-funded programs and activities in some provinces. The two officials also talked over the impact of the programs on the educational process, particularly in improving quality of educational program.

Yemen, JICA signs MoU worth $ 4 mln

[28/February/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Technical Education and Vocational Training Ministry and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed here on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The MoU worth $ 4 million funded by Japan for a project aims to improve the system of technical education and vocational training in the Industrial Technical Institute in Dhahban, including delivering equipments required to improve the Institute and creating a major of car maintenance and electricity according to the latest international standards. It was signed by Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training Ibrahim Hajri, Dhahban Institute Dean Ahmed Sa'ad Hadi and senior consultants at the project Mr. Nakahar. The project is intended to qualify trainers, develop curriculums in the created major and bringing Japanese experts to train the trainers to enhance the Ministry's system. The project also aims to raise the quality of technical education and vocational training outcomes to meet with needs of regional and international markets. After signing the MoU, Hajri considered the project initiated in 2010/2011 school year is one of the important projects to develop the technical education system, praising the Japanese efforts supporting technical and vocational education fields that would ensure creating job opportunities for youths and reducing unemployment rates. For his part, JICA representative in Yemen Takeshi Komori pointed to the importance of carrying out the project in Dhahban Institute for raising the graduates' capabilities to cope with labor markets needs.

Education Minister invited to partake in conference on MDGs

[27/February/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Education Minister Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi received here on Sunday an invitation from Japanese Foreign Minister to partake in the International Conference on the Degree of Achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be held in Japan. The two-day conference is organized by the United Nations (UN) and World Bank (WB) and will kick off on June 2. The invitation was handed over to al-Jawfi by the Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsunori Namba. At the meeting, al-Jawfi and Namba discussed the bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries, particularly in the educational areas.

Japan, U.S., Germany will continue support to mine action programme

[16/February/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japan, the United States of America and Germany announced on Wednesday they will continue to support the national mine action programme, as they revealed their pledges to finance anti-landmine programmes in developing countries will reach $ 1.8 million this year. The announcement was made by the steering committee of the programme at its meeting headed by head of the national mine action committee Qasim al Ajam. The meeting approved the document of the fourth stage of the national mine action programme as a prelude to be signed this month by Yemen and the UNDP. Appreciating the UNDP efforts in helping Yemen to eliminate landmines, al Ajam said the phases of the programme included eliminating landmines, assisting victims and raising awareness about risks of landmines and other unexploded shells. Yemen is continuing the communication with donors as it hops they will provide assistance to bridge the fund gap within the fourth stage, he said. For her part, the UNDP country director said that the Yemeni mine action programme is one of the most successful programmes in the world and this fact proved the credibility and seriousness of the Yemeni government as a good partner of donors.

Japan welcomes Saleh's initiative

[07/February/2011]

TOKYO (Saba) - Japan welcomed on Monday the initiative President Ali Abdullah Saleh has announced before the joint meeting of Parliament and the Shura Council. The welcome was declared by Director of the Middle East and African Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Foreign Ministry Matsutomi Shigeo during his meeting with Yemen's ambassador to Tokyo Marwan Numan. "Japan welcomes the positive political developments in Yemen in light of this presidential initiative associated with the call to continue the national dialogue", Shigeo said. He noted the importance of the national dialogue adopted by the Yemeni government with the opposition so as to enhance Yemen's ability to face its challenges. Shigeo reiterated Japan's supportive positions to Yemen's stability, security unity and democracy. At the meeting, Numan and Shigeo discussed the underway preparations for holding the coming meeting of the Friends of Yemen scheduled to be held in Riyadh in next March. They touched on aspects of the current cooperation between the two countries in areas of development and combating piracy and terrorism. On Wednesday, President Saleh announced, in a joint meeting of the Parliament and the Shura Council, the freezing of constitutional amendments, denying allegations there is an intention to hereditary rule in Yemen. He called on the quartet committee, formed by the ruling General People Congress (GPC) party and the opposition parties, to resume its work and prepare for a comprehensive national dialogue. In addition, President Saleh said the 27 April parliamentary elections would be postponed. He added that he will not seek his re-election in 2013, saying "No to hereditary rule and no to life presidency".

Yemeni diplomat meets Japanese official

[03/February/2011]

TOKYO (Saba) - Yemeni ambassador to Japan Marwan Nu'aman met here on Thursday with the Koichi Takemasa member of the Japanese House of Representatives, Director of Committee on Budget and Director of Special Committee on Anti-Piracy Measures, Prevention of International Terrorism and Japan's Cooperation and Support. During the meeting, Nu'aman and Takemasa reviewed the aspects of cooperation relations between Yemen and Japan and the possible means to enhance them. Nu'aman briefed the Japanese official on the initiative the President has announced in the meeting with the parliament and Shura councils members. The Yemeni diplomat has handed over an invitation to Mr. Takemasa to visit Yemen and get acquainted with democratic experience, electoral system and activities of the civil society organizations in Yemen in addition to hold talks to enhance the Yemeni-Japanese relations.

Japan supports environment, health projects in Yemen

[02/February/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japan has decided to extend Yemen two grants of US$ 188,085 for financing two projects in environment and health areas, a press release issued by the Japanese embassy in Yemen said on Wednesday. The grants are to be utilized for a project for improving solid waste management in Zabid district, Hodeidah governorate and a project for rehabilitation and expansion of the Al-Khaisa Health Center in al-Buraiqah district, Aden governorate. The Zabid's grant will be used to purchase a wheel loader, which is necessary to dispose solid wastes at the landfill. The introduction of the wheel loader into the landfill will can accelerate the landfill operations drastically so that the environmental situation and the quality of life of the people in Zabid District, Hodeidah Governorate may be greatly improved, according to the press release. The other grant to Al-Khaisa Health Center will benefit 50,000 people in al-Buraiqh district by funding rehabilitation and expansion of the existing building, and procuring necessary medical equipment. Al-Khaisa Health Center has the capacity to treat around 3,500 patients every year including refugees from Africa. Under the circumstances where the population in the area is increasing rapidly and there is a risk of infectious diseases, the existing building is found undersized and decrepit. Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mitsunori Namba and Director of Zabid Cleaning and Improvement Fund Abdullah al-Midhwahi and Director of District Health Office in al-Buraiqah Ahmed Abood signed the contracts respectively at the Embassy of Japan in Sana'a. The grants have come under Japan's grant assistance scheme called "Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects", which aims at supporting small-scale community-based projects in the fields related to basic human needs, such as primary health care, basic education and water in developing countries. In the last Japanese fiscal year, Japan funded 18 projects in Yemen under the Grass-roots scheme with a total amount of USD 1.5 million.

Japan-funded school project opened in Mahweet

[01/February/2011]

MAHWEET (Saba) - An additional school building for girls in Hufash district of Mahweet province has been officially inaugurated, which is funded by Japan at a cost of USD 97,000. In this occasion, inauguration and handing over ceremony for the Al-Khansa Beni Asad School project took place last Monday in the district, in presence of Japanese ambassador to Yemen Mistsunori Namba and a number of officials and citizens in the province. This project was launched in Hufash district due to the shortage of classrooms in the school, which was not able to receive new students, in order to provide health and safe study environments for students and encourage a larger number of new students to attend the school. At the ceremony, the Japanese ambassador reviewed a series of grant aid provided by the Japanese government in the past to the province, in addition to means of developing cooperation between the Embassy of Japan and the province. Japan's government, under its initiative called Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects, has provided over the past ten year assistance to Yemen in areas of water supply, environment, healthcare, and education, and financed 18 projects at a cost of about USD 1.5 million during the period from April 2009 to March 2010.

Japan supports 3 education projects in Yemen

[30/January/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Japan is to extend 3 grants amounting to US$ 318,955 for education projects in three province of Yemen, the embassy of Japan in Sana'a said on Sunday in a press release, adding that the grants will be used to construct three schools in the Yemeni provinces of Bayda, Dhamar and Mahweet. "The Government of Japan has decided to extend 3 grants amounting to US$ 318,955 for the Project for constructing al-Mustaqbal School in al-Malajem District, Bayda governorate, the project for constructing Khalid Ibn al-Walid School in Wossab al-Safil District, Dhamar governorate and the project for constructing al-Fath School in al-Rujum District, Mahweet governorate", the embassy said. These three grants have come under Japan's grant assistance scheme called "Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects", which aims at supporting small-scale community-based projects in the fields related to basic human needs, such as primary health care, basic education and water in developing countries. The embassy pointed out that Mr. Mitsunori Namba, ambassador of Japan to Yemen and Mr. Haider Ali Mohammed al-Ghashamy, Director of District Education Office in Al-Malajem, Mr. Ahmed Ali al-Solihi, Director of District Education Office in Wossab Al-Safil, and Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Jua'il, Director of District Education Office in Al-Rujum signed the contracts respectively at the Embassy in Sana'a on Sunday. The grant to Al-Malajem District will be used to establish a new school named "Al-Mustaqbal School" in Al-Oqal village. Around 400 pupils are supposed to join the new school. They have been using houses of inhabitants and mosques as their provisional classrooms in that area. Another grant to Wossab Al-Safil District aims to build an extension of Khalid Ibn Al-Walid School with more than 600 students in Bani Sa'eed village which is mountainous and isolated in Dhamar. The present school building is decrepit and lack of classrooms. Therefore some students are currently obliged to study under the trees. The other grant is to build an additional building for students in Al-Fath School. Due to the shortage of classrooms, numbers of students are now studying outside the building and the school is not able to receive in coming new students every year. The project will provide healthy and safe study environments for students, and encourage larger number of new students to attend the school. In the last Japanese fiscal year, Japan funded 18 projects in Yemen under the Grass-roots scheme with a total amount of USD 1.5 million.

PM opens Radiation Therapy Center at 48th Model Hospital

[24/January/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - Prime Minister Ali Mujawar opened here on Monday in the 48th Model Hospital a radiation therapy center for tumors. The Premier was briefed by the Hospital's General Director Yaser Abdul-Mughni on the possibilities of the radiation center, which is established in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The center was made in accordance with the latest Japanese specifications, Abdul-Mughni said. For his part, the center's head Abdul-Hamid Kabas indicated to the importance of the center for curing the tumors, pointing out that the center is the only one in Yemen, which has such apparatuses granted by Japan. For his part, Chairman of JICA Takeshi Nakano affirmed that the organization will train the relevant medical cadres in the hospital and will seek to develop the centre in order to be able to caring all various cancers. The Premier visited the modern laboratories in the hospital, getting acquainted with services they provide.

Japan supports water project in Jawf

[18/January/2011]

SANA'A (Saba) - The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant amounting to US$ 101,372 for a project for providing water supply system at Kharab Al-Marashi in Jawf province. Mr. Mitsunori Namba, Ambassador of Japan to Yemen and Mr. Jameel Saleh Omair, Chairman of Kharab Charitable Association signed on Tuesday the contracts at the Embassy of Japan in Sana'a. The grant has come under Japan's grant assistance scheme called "Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects", which aims at supporting small-scale community-based projects in basic human needs fields, such as primary health care, basic education and water in developing countries. The project will benefit around 1,700 people in 9 villages in Kharab Al-Marashi and 200 IDPs(Internally Displaced Persons) from Sadah province by providing them with water supply facilities. The villagers who live in dry area and suffer from lacks of water, will have a continuous access to clean and safe water through this project. In the last Japanese fiscal year, Japan has funded 18 projects in Yemen under the Grass-Roots scheme with a total amount of USD 1.5 million.