As Ambassador Ryoichi Horie packs his bags and prepares to leave Kenya, he looks back not just on his two and a half years in Kenya but also on a 43-year career in diplomacy in the service of his country.
In his final and exclusive interview with The Star, he reminisces on his love for music and — in a definite first for any foreign diplomat accredited to Kenya — the musical performance that he, his wife, Madam Yuko Horie, and musically-talented members of his staff, put up for President Uhuru Kenyatta on December 7, 2021.
The YouTube video of this performance went viral and sealed his popular reputation as “The Singing Ambassador” for all time.
THE STAR: Congratulations Ambassador on a decorated diplomatic career that now ends in Kenya. How would you describe your experience and what would you say was your biggest highlight?
AMD RYOICHI: I am blessed to be terminating my 43-year diplomatic career as Japanese ambassador to this most important African country for Japan.
Although it is impossible to describe in few words my colourful days here that were full of excitement and joy, my Kenyan chapter cannot miss my “final concert” for President Kenyatta at State House on December 7.
The courtesy call prior to the music performance now viral was as memorable as the singing. The President greatly acknowledged Japan’s work during my tenure, briefly touching upon the trajectory of the long, robust cooperative relations between our countries.
It was also a considerable pleasure for me, my wife and the embassy staff to sing for him my favourite song “Daima”, which my good friend Eric Wainaina wrote. I’d like to thank my colleagues and the music band members, Hiroko Atarashi, Rina Nishio and Moe Aratani, for their support for my work as well as the great contribution to my music activity.
I can reasonably say that it is quite rare for State House to accept a farewell courtesy call let alone the one that includes the Ambassador’s spouse and a music band! I am honoured to have such a wonderful memory at State House.
Any other highlights?
The other highlights of my days in Kenya are the visits to different parts of the country. I visited 15 counties during my two-and-a- half-year tenure to attend handover ceremonies of Japanese projects. Without the interruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, I was ready to visit all the 47 counties. I interacted with thousands of Kenyans from the various ethnic groups.
People welcomed us with regional music and dance, all unique and beautiful. I could feel the powerful diversity of this country as well as the unity of Kenya as a nation, as everyone showed me a single united message: Hospitality.
Meeting people from all diverse backgrounds was definitely one of the favourite parts of my diplomatic work.
You are aware that your musical performance before President Kenyatta caused a frenzy on the internet. What would you say is the influence of music in your personal life and as a diplomat?
The first time I sang in Kenya was in Mombasa. When I attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone. The community ladies were not particularly happy about my English language speech. But when I started singing with my wife, I saw that the song melted people’s hearts. That was the moment I realised the power of music in connecting people’s hearts.
In personal life, music is also a key for a long-term relation. When making harmony, you need to listen carefully to your partner’s voice and adjust your tone. Listening to each other and being flexible, this is the foundation for any good relationship. Indeed, it is what I have been placing importance on as a diplomat.
In my diplomatic career, I have been stationed in nine countries. Each country has unique society and people. Listening to people from different backgrounds, respecting the differences and loving different cultures, are the most important things for a successful diplomatic career as well as personal life.
Kenya and Japan have in recent years intensified diplomatic ties in economic and infrastructure development. During your time, have you identified other potential areas of engagement? How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected your work here and what have you been able to achieve despite the challenges?
As I have emphasised here and there, Kenya is the biggest beneficiaries of Japan’s Overseas Development Assistance. During my tenure, I signed more than Sh100 billon of Japanese ODA grants and loans, which included a large portion of support for infrastructure projects.
In the latter part of my tenure, Covid-19 came and it indeed changed everything. Japan increased the proportion of health sector support significantly to assist Kenya’s fight against the pandemic. Of course, my diplomatic activities were severely affected as well. No more large gatherings, no more hugs with my dear Kenyan friends, no more physical people-to-people connections, which hurt my heart.
Everything has a silver lining and Covid was no exception. The pandemic made us realise the importance of basic medical needs. Japan has been promoting Universal Health Coverage, where all individuals can have an equitable access to medical services. The pandemic taught us, with pain, how health cannot be monopolised by some advanced countries.
Without securing health for all people, we cannot fight against the pandemic, the enemy which easily transcends borders. Japan has been and will continuously support Kenya’s endeavor to attain UHC and the pandemic provided a right momentum to further strengthen our cooperation in this area.
Japan is building a Special Economic Zone complex in Mombasa county. What informs Japan’s strategic focus on the Coastal region?
Japan announced our key diplomatic strategy, “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in Nairobi, during the Ticad 6 in 2016. This concept stresses the maritime openness and freedom based on rule of law and highlights the great economic potentials brought through maritime trade.
Japan, as an island nation, has embraced the blessings of free and open oceans throughout its history. We believe the port of Mombasa has enormous potential, facing the great Indian Ocean that connects two promising continents, Africa and Asia.
It is a gateway for foreign investments in the region as well as the manufacturing centre for Kenya to export goods to the world. We strongly believe the strategic and effective use of the port and the adjoining SEZ will bring a further economic boost to Kenya.
Japan is committed to the development of infrastructure to make this happen, and with the support of the Kenyan government, I believe that the Kenyan SEZ has a good chance to compete with other renowned SEZs in the region, including those in the UAE and South Africa, to become a regional hub port. This is a remarkable joint project of Japan and Kenya and it can be a symbol of our friendship.
Japan has a long experience with the blue economy, an area that Kenya is only now venturing into. What is the status as concerns the Blue Economy between the two countries as you end your tour here?
The blue economy resonates well with the earlier mentioned FOIP concept. FOIP and blue economy are not only about the economy, but also about capacity- building for maritime security.
Japan has engaged in the holistic development of the coastal area of Kenya. It is not only governments who notice the benefits of oceans but so do unlawful entities such as smugglers and IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishery.
For the effective use of maritime resources, the open and free but secure oceans are especially important. To support that, Japan has been supporting the Kenya Coast Guard Service from its inception and provided patrol boats to contribute in its capacity-building. The noble KCGS is now three years old and the boats are well utilised for patrols. Maritime security is an area we should explore more for further cooperation.
Any last word for our Kenyan readers?
Although there are many impressive examples of economic support that Japan has extended to Kenya, the projects I actually cared about the most were grassroots projects that directly benefit local people.
During the handover ceremonies, I did not only extend our support to Kenyan people, but I was the one who received precious smiles from many children and community members, from the lake to the coast and from north to south, borrowing words from Eric Wainaina’s famous song, “Daima”. Each one of the smiles I received from people are the real jewels for me. I received immeasurable happiness and joy from you, Kenyan people.
My last message to you, Kenyan friends, is “be proud to be a Kenyan”. Kenya is such a peaceful and great country. With the complex history, it is not at all easy to be united as a country on this continent.
Kenya, however, has proudly been a united country without experiencing any revolution since Independence, choosing its political leaders through elections. This deserves a deepest respect.
The political and social stability is indeed the biggest asset and the most promising drive for great economic growth of this country.
My salute to wananchi wazalendo and Kwaheri ya kuonana.
