The Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Liberia, his Excellency Naoto Nikai, is expected in the country today, Wednesday, December 12, 2012 for a three-day official visit. Ambassador Nikai, who will be in the country from December 12 - 14, is expected to sign a separate exchange of notes for additional food aid and power plants with the Liberian government.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the bilateral ties already existing between the two countries. It can be recalled that the Japanese government and the Liberian government in March 2008 signed an Exchange of Note for the first consignment of Food Aid in the tone of 8,617 metric ton of rice for monetization to support social economic development projects in Liberia.

According to Commerce Ministry statement, a total of US$ 4 Million was realized and the amount was used to finance the paddy and feed rice project being executed by the Cooperation Development Agency with the Ministry of Agriculture exercising oversight authority.

Also in March 2010, the Government of Liberia(GOL) and Japan signed another Separate Exchange of Notes for additional consignment of rice in the tone of 19,101 metric tons which the Commerce Ministry says in still being monetized, the Ministry notes that part of that agreement also included mixed petroleum products of 12,404 MT valued at US$ 25 Million and that the proceeds will be used to support Liberia's Social Economic Development.

Additionally, the two governments in November 2011, signed Exchange of Notes for the third round of Food Aid in the tone of 10,015 MT to further support Liberia's Social Economic Development.