A pilot project to this end is expected to be launched in the near future.

 

On November 28, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani took part in the inauguration of the Alumni Association of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).   

 

Also taking part were Japan’s ambassador to Iraq, Futoshi Matsumoto, and JICA chief for Iraq, Gen Yoneda.

 

In his speech, PM Barzani said that JICA had “been a pivotal force in supporting the KRG across a wide range of projects, contributing significantly to our region’s development and progress”.

 

He added that the Japanese people have an “invaluable wealth of experience”.

 

“Like us, they have faced challenges and emerged stronger, becoming an inspiring global example of resilience and innovation,” Barzani noted. 

 

On the social media platform X, Ambassador Matsumoto wrote that “PM Masrour Barzani of the KRG and I had a wonderful talk over a couple of good ideas to strengthen bilateral relations between Kurdistan and Japan.”

 

He said that these ideas included “introduction of Japanese education system to Kurdish schools, upgrading Erbil Sewage and also strengthening more business exchange.”

 

“I also emphasized the importance of peaceful negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil over many issues to bear fruit soon,” Matsumoto stressed.

 

The ambassador had given a lecture the day before at the Kurdistan University, he noted on X.

 

“I consider talking to young people everywhere in Iraq one of the most important missions of mine,” he wrote.  

 

“I believe the modernization process of Japan, that started in 1868 with Meiji Restoration provides many useful lessons for any country to embark upon its own modernization,” he noted.