UGANDA EMBASSY TOKYO HOSTS STUDENTS FROM YOKOHAMA CITY
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On 24th March, 2025 at 2:00pm, the Mission received a group of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students from Yokohama City who had paid a courtesy call to the Embassy accompanied by their Patrons Yajima, Noguchi, Watanabe, and Adachi working with the Yokohama City International Affairs Bureau.
The students’ list shown below, is according to their year of study:
3rd Year Students:
1. Yujiro Kobayashi
2. Honoka Aruga
3. Hana Aoki
4. Airi Takada
5. Shima Fujiwara
6. Riku Matsui
2nd Year Students:
7. Yui Ishizuka
8. Ruka Suzuki
9. Ruki Takahashi
1st Year Students:
10. Kawauchi
11. Mei Aoki
12. Keita Mano
These were so eager to visit the Embassy to show the Ambassador the Art Drawing that depicts the relationship and mutual collaboration that exists between Yokohama students and Ugandan students.
According to their Art explanation, Uganda is branded as a unique country within Africa with a government, people, and unique socio-cultural setup as is of Japan, where practices, values, norms, and behaviors are common to the members of the society.
Students showcase their symbolic Art work drawn with similarities between Uganda’s culture and Japan’s culture
Handshake and Unity
According to the student’s explanation on the above Art drawing, the central theme is a handshake between two hands of different skin tones, symbolizing friendship and cooperation between Uganda and Japan.
The Patron informed us that they have collaboration with a school in Uganda where students will be doing exchanges.
One student explained Cultural Elements in the Art drawing that on the right -hand side it was for Japan and left-hand side was for Uganda. Therefore, she explained on the side of Japan as follows:
That the drawing bears National Flags, Japanese flag is on the right-hand side while Ugandan flag is on the left side, reinforcing the countries' identities and partnership with each other.
The sprouting plant in the middle of the above Art suggests growth and collaboration within schools in Uganda and Japan.
A rich, earthy landscape, symbolizing agriculture and connection to nature.
A mountain, possibly Mount Fuji, a symbol of Japan.
Sushi, representing Japan’s cuisine.
A small Shiba Inu dog, a well-known breed in Japan.
Japan is shown with technological advancements like wind turbines and modern transportation of a cargo marine ship.
After explaining Japan side, she requested me to explain Uganda’s side, and the following were my explanations:
Number one I informed them that Uganda is the “Pearl of Africa” depicted with green landscapes, high mountains, lakes and rivers, unique traditional cultural ways of life.
A rich, earthy landscape, symbolizing agriculture
A boat in the picture with two people, representing fishing, an essential livelihood in Uganda.
I informed them that Uganda has a unique heritage, wildlife as shown in their Art was a Mountain Gorilla. I further informed them that Uganda has so many wildlife that attract many tourists such as climbing lions and leopards, unique birds, elephants, zebras, crested cranes, giraffes and other tourists attraction sites as shown in the below picture that I handed to them:
Then Ms. Sayaka and Ms. Lucy distributed to the students and their Patrons some tourism brochures showing different varieties of food cultures of Uganda and were all dismayed. Ms. Lucy asked them how many had liked Uganda and feel wanting to visit Uganda they all put their hands up as a symbol that they all like Uganda.
Then the students asked me which places in Japan I have ever visited, which animal did I like, which food did I prefer and what I like about Japan ever since I came to Japan.
First and foremost, I informed them that I visited Sapporo in Hokkaido Region, Fukuoka and Kumamoto in Kyushu Region, Shizuoka in Chubu Region and Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa in Kanto Region.
The following are things I liked in Japan with unique and admirable qualities
1. Advanced Technology & Infrastructure
• High-Speed Trains (Shinkansen) – Japan has one of the fastest and most efficient railway systems in the world.
• Robotics & AI – Japan is a global leader in robotics, with innovations in factories, healthcare, and daily life.
• Smart Cities – Japan’s cities are well-planned, with modern infrastructure, clean streets, and efficient public transport.
2. Strong Economy & Innovation
• Japan has a highly developed economy with leading industries in automobiles (Toyota, Honda, Nissan), electronics (Sony, Panasonic), and engineering.
• The country is known for precision manufacturing, producing some of the world's best cameras, watches (Seiko, Casio), and other high-quality products.
3. High Standard of Living
• Excellent Healthcare – Japan has one of the best healthcare systems with advanced hospitals and long-life expectancy.
• Safety & Low Crime Rate – Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime levels and strict law enforcement.
4. Cultural Richness & Traditions
• Japanese Cuisine – Sushi, rice and other traditional dishes are famous worldwide.
• Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) – Spring in Japan is famous for its beautiful cherry blossom season.
• Traditional Arts – Green Tea ceremonies and samurai cultures in Japan.
5. Environmental Efforts & Cleanliness
• Recycling & Waste Management – Japan has a highly efficient waste disposal and recycling system.
• Green Energy – Japan invests in renewable energy, including solar power and wind turbines as was shown in their Art drawing.
6. Excellent Education System
• Japan has one of the best education systems, with a strong focus on discipline, innovation, and science.
• Many Japanese universities rank among the top in the world and that is why we have many Ugandan students coming to study in Japan. I also encouraged the students to continue exchanging with many schools in Uganda and sending volunteer teachers to Uganda since Japan is advanced in technology, economy, healthcare, and culture should transfer the knowledge and Skills to Uganda.
The students and Patrons expressed their gratitude for a warm welcome.
We hope that with all that was said and discussed plus the tourism brochures that were distributed to every student and Patrons will open further interest among the school and their families in Uganda as a tourism destination hence fulfilling our Mission’s strategic objectives of Promoting Uganda’s image abroad through Public Diplomacy
Students’ photo with Mission Officers; Ms. Fredah, Ms. Sayaka and Ms. Lucy
Giving gifts to the Patrons
