Introduction
From June 17 to 20, 2025, the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba (hereinafter referred to as “Minister Mumba”), visited Japan. At the time of writing (August 26, 2025), Minister Mumba has been nominated by President Chakwera as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election in September 2025, making him a highly promising political leader.
The main purpose of his visit was to attend the “Malawi National Day” held on June 18 at the ongoing World Expo in Osaka (hereinafter, “Expo”). National Days are special events allocated to each official participant country, where they showcase their culture and traditions.
I am currently a senior student at the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sophia University and also serve as a staff member of the non-profit organization Seibo, which provides school meals to primary schools and nursery schools in Malawi. For the Expo, Seibo was requested by the Embassy of Malawi in Japan to dispatch staff to support operations at the Malawi Pavilion.
Amid these circumstances, I had the honor of accompanying Minister Mumba throughout his four-day stay in Japan, serving both as his liaison and as an English-Japanese interpreter. My role as liaison included acting as a bridge between the Minister, the Embassy, the Expo organizers, and other stakeholders, ensuring smooth coordination of schedules, logistical arrangements, and information-sharing. In this report, I will record and share my experiences in words and photographs.
With Minister Mumba at the dinner reception on August 18th
Visit Record (June 17–20, 2025)
Preparation
Prior to Minister Mumba’s visit, I held coordination meetings with JTB’s Protocol Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Expo 2025 Osaka Secretariat, and the Embassy of Malawi in Japan. My responsibilities as liaison primarily included schedule and convoy route management, coordination among stakeholders, and English-Japanese interpretation. I was also tasked with translating presentation materials for the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC).
June 17 (Tuesday)
I welcomed Minister Mumba upon his arrival at Kansai International Airport and escorted him to his hotel. After his arrival, I held a coordination meeting with the hotel liaison to confirm the next day’s ceremonial schedule and movement lines. I also supported his personal requests, such as accompanying him to a haircut and arranging dining options for the Minister and his spouse.
June 18 (Wednesday) – National Day
On the morning of National Day, I met the Minister at the hotel, and we traveled in a convoy to the Expo venue. Despite a slightly delayed departure, we arrived just in time. At the Guest Pavilion, Minister Mumba was welcomed by Mr. Misawa, Deputy Commissioner General of the Japanese Government for Expo 2025, followed by a brief tea ceremony. He then attended the official ceremony, where, after a speech by Mr. Misawa, Minister Mumba delivered his keynote remarks. He emphasized the strengthening of cooperation with Japan while calling attention to the untapped investment potential in agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing. After the speeches, the Malawi National Dance Troupe performed a traditional dance, which greatly energized the audience.
Official ceremony on National Day (Photo by author)
During the luncheon following the ceremony, attendees included the Minister and his spouse, Ambassador Kwacha and his spouse, the former Japanese Ambassador to Malawi, government officials from both Japan and Malawi, as well as corporate, institutional, and academic stakeholders engaged with Malawi. On this occasion, I was invited not as a liaison but as a participant, representing Seibo as a staff member involved in school meal programs in Malawi.
At the luncheon (Photo by author)
In the afternoon, the delegation toured the Japan Pavilion, the Malawi Pavilion, the Korea Pavilion, and the Australia Pavilion, where they engaged with diverse cultural and technological exhibits. Later, they returned to the hotel for a short rest.
Meanwhile, at another venue, MITC’s Director General, Mr. Kruger, gave a presentation on Malawi’s investment and trade potential. At this event, Seibo’s Director and Chairperson, Mr. Makoto Yamada, served as interpreter, directly communicating Malawi’s economic opportunities to Japanese participants. Running parallel to the Minister’s pavilion visit, this initiative also served as a crucial message to attract investment into Malawi’s “untapped opportunities.”
Presentation by MITC Director General, Mr. Kruger (Photo courtesy of MBC)
In the evening, the Government of Malawi hosted a dinner reception, bringing together distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. Minister Mumba once again highlighted Malawi’s appeal and the potential for enhanced cooperation with Japan, reinforcing cultural and economic ties.
June 19 (Thursday)
In the morning, we departed from the hotel to Shin-Osaka Station and took the Shinkansen to Tokyo. After checking into a Tokyo hotel, the Minister continued his official visits.
The first stop was Ataka Trading Co., Ltd., a Japanese trading company specializing in specialty coffee from around the world, and a partner supporting Seibo’s Warm Hearts Coffee Club. Discussions centered on the export of Malawian products and new trade opportunities in the Japanese market. Specific corporate interests and challenges were raised, leading to meaningful dialogue about future business cooperation.
Minister Mumba with Mr. Araki, President of Ataka Trading Co. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
Next, the Minister visited the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Tokyo (ITPO Tokyo), where discussions focused on Malawi’s investment climate and industrial development potential, as well as collaboration to attract Japanese businesses.
In the afternoon, he visited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Discussions with JICA centered on current and future cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, and human resource development, with an emphasis on sustainable economic growth through education and rural development.
Meeting at JICA (Photo by author)
The final visit of the day was to the Embassy of Malawi in Japan, where discussions were held with embassy staff to review the overall coordination and outcomes of the visit. Afterward, I escorted the Minister back to the hotel, concluding the day’s schedule.
June 20 (Friday)
In the morning, the Minister visited the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), where he met with directors and Africa regional representatives. The scheduled visit to Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) was later canceled. The delegation then departed from the hotel to the airport for their return flight to Malawi.
Conclusion
Throughout his visit, Minister Mumba consistently emphasized the importance of “untapped opportunities” for Japanese involvement. Specifically, he pointed to agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing as areas with significant potential, urging Japanese enterprises and institutions to explore Malawi. This message aligns directly with the current Chakwera administration’s national strategy known as “ATM+M” (Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining + Manufacturing). Hearing these remarks firsthand confirmed the consistency and weight of his message, and I felt deeply honored to witness and support his mission as liaison.
Looking back on these four days, I carried the dual responsibilities of interpreter and liaison in an intense and highly valuable experience far beyond what I could have imagined as a student. While there were moments of difficulty, such as delays and logistical challenges, overcoming them brought immense fulfillment. My understanding of and interest in Malawi deepened greatly, further motivating me in my work with Seibo.
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported this experience—the Minister and his delegation, the Ambassador and embassy staff, Expo organizers, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JTB escorts, and all other partners. It was only thanks to their cooperation that I was able to fulfill my duties successfully. I hereby conclude this report with sincere appreciation.
At Hotel New Otani
Related Links
Dinner Reception (Malawi Broadcasting Corporation: MBC)
https://fb.watch/BaJKOeV3WJ/
National Day Report (MBC)
Malawi showcases investment opportunities at Osaka Expo 2025
National Day Highlights (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
MALAWI NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATED AT EXPO 2025 IN OSAKA, JAPAN.
Visit to Japan, Korea, and Australia Pavilions (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
Meeting with Ataka Trading Co. (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY’S MEETING WITH ATAKA TRADING CO., LTD.
Meeting with JICA (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
Meeting with UNIDO ITPO Tokyo (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY’S MEETING WITH UNIDO ITPO.
Meeting with JOGMEC (Embassy of Malawi in Japan)
Malawi National Day, June 18! Let’s Celebrate this Special Day Together (Expo 2025 Official Website)
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/officialblog/nd_0618/