Japan / On the Passing of Prof. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, and the Inauguration of Hon. Joyce Hilda Banda, Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi, as the New President

TOKYO, Japan, April 11, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On receiving the news of the passing of Prof. Bingu Wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, the Government of Japan expresses sincere condolences to his bereaved family and the Government and people of the Republic of Malawi.

Since his inauguration, President Mutharika visited Japan in 2006 for an official working visit and also in 2008 to participate in the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) held in Yokohama. Through the visits, President Mutharika contributed significantly to the development of the Japan-Malawi relationship and also to the development of the African region.

The Government of Japan offers its sincerest prayers for the repose of President Mutharika's soul and wishes that the Republic of Malawi and its people will overcome this sadness and continue to progress toward the further development and prosperity of their country.

Japan welcomes the inauguration of Hon. Joyce Hilda Banda, Vice-President of the Republic of Malawi, as the new President on Saturday, April 7, based on the country's constitutional framework. Japan hopes that Malawi will further promote its social and economic development under the leadership of President Banda and also will continue its contribution to the peace and stability of the African region. In addition, the Government of Japan intends to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and Malawi.