During his official visit to Japan, the President along with his delegation addressed the Japanese business community at an Investment Roundtable hosted by the Keidanren Sub-Saharan Africa Committee and attended by approximately 90 individuals. The Botswana delegation encouraged Japanese companies to invest in Botswana, highlighting opportunities in Botswana's mineral resources, infrastructure development and ICT sectors. For copies of the Roundtable presentations or more information about investing in Botswana, please contact the Embassy of Botswana by clicking here.
(Photo courtesy of JOGMEC)

From Sunday, 17 October - Thursday, 21 October, the Embassy presented an exhibition of Botswana's natural wonders at Oazu in Marunouchi featuring:
DIAMONDS: stunning SA*Birth brand jewellery, inspired by Botswana's nature and crafted with diamonds cut and polished in Botswana. Spectacular pieces "Okavango" and "Blue Ground" mesmerised visitors.
ART: select examples of Botswana handicrafts were on display, in particular hand-woven baskets which are renowned for their beauty and high quality. A weaver from Botswana demonstrated the craft at the exhibition.
TOURISM: Botswana is often called "the last Eden on earth" - 38% of its land is dedicated to protecting and preserving wildlife. The exhibition highlighted the beauty of a number of examples of Botswana's oustanding tourist destinations through a photographic review.
TRADITIONAL DANCE: The cultural troupe Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe performed several times a day throughout the duration of the exhibition.

On 19 October, 2010, the Embassy of Botswana presented a Cultural Night at the Akasaka Civic Centre. Featured were traditional dance performances by cultural troupe Dipela tsa ga Kobokwe ("The Rock Rabbits") and music by the contemporary Botswana band Banjo Mosele & Veterans. Banjo Mosele was one of the founding members of the Kalahari Band which recorded with South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela in the 1980's, and is active on the European jazz scene. Guests were treated to a special surprise when Japanese jazz legend Sadao Watanabe joined the band on stage.

President Khama and Prime Minister Kan discussed, among other topics, the importance of expanding cooperation in the development of mineral resources including rare metals, as well as the importance of effectively using Japanese ODA loans for the development of regional infrastructure, with both sides expressing interest in collaborating on the Kazungula Bridge Project (full text of joint press statement available at the MOFA website here).
(Photo courtesy of Cabinet Public Relations Office)

The Embassy will observe the following public holidays in 2011:

Monday, 3 January - Public Holiday (Botswana)
Monday, 10 January - Coming of Age Day (Japan)
Friday, 11 February - National Foundation Day (Japan)
Monday, 21 March - Spring Equinox Day (Japan)
Friday, 22 April - Good Friday (Botswana)
Monday, 25 April - Easter Monday (Botswana)
Friday, 29 April - Day of Showa (Japan)
Tuesday, 3 May - Constitution Day (Japan)
Wednesday, 4 May - Greenery Day (Japan)
Thursday, 5 May - Children's Day (Japan)
Monday, 18 July - President's Day/Marine Day (Botswana/Japan)
Tuesday, 19 July - Public Holiday (Botswana)
Monday, 19 September - Respect for the Aged Day (Japan)
Friday, 23 September - Autumn Equinox Day (Japan)
Friday, 30 September - National Day (Botswana)
Monday, 10 October - National Sports Day (Japan)
Thursday, 3 November - Culture Day (Japan)
Wednesday, 23 November - Labour Thanksgiving Day (Japan)
Friday, 23 December - Emperor's Borthday (Japan)
Monday, 26 December - Boxing Day (Botswana)
Tuesday, 27 December - Public Holiday (Botswana)