Health Minister in an Official Visit to Japan

Tripoli, September 4, 2026 (LANA) – During his official visit to Tokyo, the Minister of Health of the Government of National Unity, Dr. Mohamed Ali Al-Ghouj, discussed with a number of Japanese officials and institutions ways to expand health cooperation and transform the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries into practical programs and projects, particularly in the areas of training and qualifying medical personnel, exchanging expertise, and transferring technology.

The meetings were held in the presence and coordination of the Libyan Ambassador to Japan, Ahmed Al-Naas, and included officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the House of Representatives, the Libyan-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Minister discussed with the Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ayano Kunimitsu, the Deputy Foreign Minister, and the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political and Parliamentary Affairs, Yohei Onishi, prospects for developing bilateral relations and expanding areas of partnership between Libya and Japan, which would enhance cooperation opportunities in priority sectors.

Al-Ghouj also discussed with Yuichi Fukazawa, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives and a member of the Libyan-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association, the importance of activating the association's role in supporting parliamentary communication and opening new avenues for cooperation. They also discussed the challenges facing the health sector in Libya and ways to benefit from Japanese expertise and technology in developing the healthcare system.

The meeting addressed the importance of lifting restrictions on travel by Japanese citizens to Libya, which would contribute to strengthening communication between the two countries and open the door for Japanese companies to capitalize on available opportunities in Libya. It also aimed to support cooperation, investment, and the exchange of expertise and technology, particularly in the health sector.

Fukazawa stated that the Libyan-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association is considering organizing a visit for its members to Libya to coincide with Libya hosting the Energy Forum scheduled for next January. He expressed his hope to meet with the Minister of Health again during the visit.

In the same context, the Minister of Health held a meeting with Yuko Mitsui, Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). They discussed opportunities for cooperation in capacity building, human resource development, and supporting the health sector, as well as leveraging Japanese expertise to enhance the efficiency of personnel and improve healthcare services in Libya.

The meetings reflect the efforts of both sides to strengthen the Libyan-Japanese partnership in the health field, and to support the transition from existing cooperation frameworks to executive programs and projects that contribute to the development of the health sector and the exchange of experiences between the two countries.

=Lana=