Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, has said that Federal Government will create an enabling business environment for Japanese Companies to set up their plants in Nigeri

He made the statement when he received, the Delegation leader, Deputy Chairman, Policy Research Council Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and member of the House of Representative of Japan, Yasutoshi Nishimura in his office.

He pointed out that the people of Nigeria treasure a strong and cordial relationship with Japan, adding that consular relations between the two countries commenced since 1964.

A statement yesterday signed by Tony Onyekwere of press unit of foreign ministry added that before mid 1980's there was no major Japanese investment in Nigeria but in recent, overseas development assistance so far received from Japan to Nigeria is about US $90 million.

"He observed that Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) was instituted since 1993 by Japan to help African countries in capacity building and sustainable development, hoping that Japanese Companies will come to assist in building a stable power supply in Nigeria.

Dr. Hong said Nigeria, with more than 60% of ECOWAS population and one-third of the entire African population, has market for all the Japanese products.

Earlier, the Japanese envoy, His Excellency Yasutoshi Nishimura, told the minister that the visit of the trade mission in 2008, and subsequent discussion in investment possibilities in Nigeria.