Embassy of Japan in Botswana - 在ボツワナ日本国大使館

21/06/2026

: 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 🇯🇵🤝🇧🇼 📅21st, June, 2025
🥎 Connecting Japan and Botswana Through Softball! 🇧🇼✨
Did you know that sports have played a vital role in building bridges between Japan and Botswana? Today, we throw back to an inspiring moment of youth sports diplomacy and grassroots friendship!

In June 2025, a Botswana U-18 women’s softball team traveled to Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture—widely known as Japan’s "Softball City"—to participate in the prestigious Utsugi Cup!

This memorable tournament brought together six nations, including Japan, Botswana, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Tanzania. The young athletes from Botswana showcased incredible determination, competing passionately on the field and concluding the tournament with an exciting, high-energy 5th/6th placing match against Tanzania.

Beyond the competition, this event celebrated the deep history of human connections between our nations. Alongside the tournament, on the 21st of June 2025, a special commemorative seminar was co-hosted by JICA Tokyo and Takasaki City, highlighting the profound impact of people-to-people exchange.

A prominent voice at the seminar was Ms. NAKAMURA Aiko, a former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV). Having dedicated 19 years of her life to softball as an infielder in Japan, Ms. NAKAMURA moved to Botswana in 2017. For two years, she lived in Botswana, sharing her passion for the sport, coaching local players, and building lifelong bonds with the community. Reflecting on her time, she shared a heartwarming message: "If I hadn’t gone to Botswana as a JICA volunteer, I wouldn’t be who I am today."

Whether through competitive youth tournaments or passionate volunteers on local fields, our shared love for sports continues to unite hearts across continents. Let's keep this vibrant legacy alive for the next generations! Dumela Mma/Rra! 🤝✨

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18jW5UdAY2/
　
🫵🫵🫵🫵
Wanted: Your favorite Japan-Botswana memories! 📸✨
As we celebrate 60 years of friendship, we realized the best stories aren't in our archives—they’re with YOU!
✅ Did you meet a lifelong friend through a JICA project?
✅ Do you still have a souvenir from a cultural event years ago?
✅ Or maybe a throwback photo from your time studying in Japan?
Tell us your story below! 👇

Let's bring our shared history to life together. Your memory might just be our next featured story!

18/06/2026

Did you see the inspiring news from the FIFA World Cup 2026? 🇯🇵⚽️
After the match between Japan and the Netherlands, Japanese supporters stayed behind to clean up their seating areas before leaving the stadium. This beautiful gesture was featured on FIFA's official page and has touched the hearts of millions, gaining over 2 million likes globally!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Csobe5M2w/

Cleaning up after oneself is an important part of Japanese culture. Japanese schoolchildren clean their classrooms after using them, instilling in them a sense of responsibility and discipline. They learn this habit in public school, and many carry it with them throughout their lives.

It’s also a clear demonstration of simple social contribution — it costs almost nothing, yet it shows immense respect for the host country, the stadium workers, and fellow football fans. It’s all about cultivating a culture of mutual respect and consideration.

Japan has been working to share this culture with Botswana for many years. Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) have been working closely with local communities as environmental education officers, promoting waste management and eco-friendly practices.

[Related posts]
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/192tWqxR7q/　　
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17WbtMW7Nr/　

Let’s inspire each other to keep our surroundings clean, whether at a stadium, a local park, or in our neighborhoods. Together, we can foster a cleaner, brighter environment for everyone! 🇧🇼🤝🇯🇵

17/06/2026

You can watch the interview with Ms Noguchi, the Japanese researcher who speaks the San people's Khoisan language, here!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18bjeJotQo/

17/06/2026

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF JAPAN'S HYDRANGEA FESTIVAL-AJISAI MATSURI

DID YOU KNOW? This is a season of Ajisai (Hydrangea); delicate flowers that symbolize gratitude, grace, and heartfelt emotion.

Every June, Japan comes alive with beautiful hydrangea flowers also known as Ajisai, and across Japan, vibrant Ajisai Matsuri (Hydrangea Festivals) are held, celebrating these stunning blooms. From temple gardens to mountain pathways, hydrangeas paint the scenery in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Some of Japan’s most beloved hydrangea spots include: Meigetsuin Temple in Kamakura City also known as the “Hydrangea Temple” for its iconic blue blossoms, Hakusan Shrine in Tokyo for a lively festival with thousands of flowers in full bloom and Mimuroto-ji Temple in Kyoto; featuring over 10,000 hydrangea plants across its scenic gardens.
Visitors stroll along peaceful pathways, enjoy seasonal treats, and take in the serene beauty that harmonizes perfectly with Japan’s green rainy season, known as tsuyu.
Have you ever experienced a hydrangea festival or seen these beautiful flowers?
Share your thoughts or photos in the comments below!


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DvPDjzrTX/

15/06/2026

🏆 What an incredible weekend of softball at the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup 2026 🥎
Huge congratulations to all the men’s and women’s teams who competed with fierce determination and exceptional sportsmanship at the National Diamond. You showed us the true spirit of the game 🙌

This tournament was a beautiful celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Botswana. In his speech, Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. OGAWA Shin highlighted our nearly two-decade-long sports partnership—from
infrastructure support like the borehole and irrigation system at the National Diamond in 2018, to the 57 softball volunteers dispatched by JICA* who have empowered local youth, Team Botswana's participation in the UTSUGI Cup in Japan in 2025, and the recent "Baseballership" clinics in February 2026. 🇧🇼🤝🇯🇵

After the inspiring speech, Mr. OGAWA shared a special moment, shaking hands with the final teams and swinging the ceremonial first pitch 🥎

The thrilling day concluded with an official awards ceremony in the evening. Gold medals were proudly presented to the champion teams by BNSC Director of Sports, Mr. Peaceful Seleka, BSA President Mr. Tirelo Mukokomani, and trophies by Japanese Embassy First Secretary Mr. KASHIMA Kohei.

Thank you to the Botswana Softball Association, BNSC, BNOC, the media, and all the fans who made this event an unforgettable milestone✨✨



*JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is Japan's official agency implementing ODA to support global growth. We promote international cooperation through technical assistance, grants, and loans for a sustainable future.

15/06/2026

: 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽🇯🇵🤝🇧🇼 📅15th June, 2012

Did you know that June 15th marks a special milestone in our shared educational journey? On this day in 2012, a meaningful Handover Ceremony took place at the Naledi Brigade! 🏫✨

Mr. KOBAYASHI Hiroyasu, the then Ambassador of Japan to Botswana, officially handed over a brand-new classroom block to the Naledi Development Trust. This project was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, with a grant of USD 51,999 to help the Trust expand its facilities and meet the growing needs of local youth.

From humble beginning of just 30 students in 2008, the Naledi Development Trust had flourished to accommodate 200 students by 2012!

The ceremony was graced by Hon. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, the then Minister of Education and Skills Development, and Hon. Kagiso Molatlhegi, the then Member of Parliament for Gaborone South.

During the event, the Minister beautifully highlighted the Tswana spirit of "Botho"—emphasizing how our two nations stand by one another in times of need. She expressed deep gratitude for Japan's continuous development support, while reflecting on how Botswana had supported Japan with one million P**a donation following the devastating earthquake and tsunami the previous year, which was 2011. It was a powerful reminder that true friendship knows no boundaries. 🇧🇼🤝🇯🇵

Education and vocational training remain the foundation of personal competence and national development. We are proud to have been a part of this inspiring chapter that empowered young Batswana to become self-reliant and skillful leaders of tomorrow.

🫵🫵🫵🫵
Wanted: Your favorite Japan-Botswana memories! 📸✨
As we celebrate 60 years of friendship, we realized the best stories aren't in our archives—they’re with YOU!
✅ Did you meet a lifelong friend through a JICA project?
✅ Do you still have a souvenir from a cultural event years ago?
✅ Or maybe a throwback photo from your time studying in Japan?
Tell us your story below! 👇

Let's bring our shared history to life together. Your memory might just be our next featured story!

13/06/2026

🇧🇼🤝🇯🇵 Meet Ms. NOGUCHI Tomoe, a passionate Japanese researcher from Kyoto University! Since 2022, she has been living and conducting anthropology research alongside the San people (specifically the |Gui and ||Gana groups) in New Xade, Ghanzi District.

Ms. NOGUCHI has even mastered their unique and complex language, which features distinctive click sounds and expressions directly tied to deep human emotions ❤️

For instance, did you know that the local phrase for "thank you" (láen yà ǂáó) literally translates to "my heart is good"? 🥰 It's a beautifully direct way to express raw, honest feelings! On the flip side, when feeling sad, they say "my heart is in pain" (ǂáó-è kx'óm).

Through her daily life shared with the community—from gathering firewood to taking splash baths—she has formed an unbreakable bond. To her, New Xade is no longer just a research site, but a place she calls home, with a family she always looks forward to returning to🏕️✨

Let's celebrate this wonderful cultural exchange that bridges Botswana and Japan!

【日本語】
京都大学大学院のアジア・アフリカ地域研究研究科に在籍する、情熱的な日本人研究者、野口朋恵さんをご紹介します！野口さんは2022年から、ガンジ地方のニューカデにて、サン人（特にグイとガナのグループ）と共に生活しながら人類学的な調査・研究を行っています。

野口さんは、彼らが話す特徴的なクリック音と人間の深い感情に直接結びついたユニークで複雑な言語もマスターしています❤️

例えば、彼らの言葉で「ありがとう（láen yà ǂáó）」は、文字通り「私の心は良い」という意味になることをご存知ですか？🥰 飾らない素直な感情を伝える、とても素敵でストレートな表現です！逆に悲しいときには、「私の心が痛い（ǂáó-è kx'óm）」と言います。

薪拾いをしたり、たらいでお湯を浴びたりと、コミュニティでの日々の暮らしを共にする中で、野口さんは強い絆を築いてきました。彼女にとってニューカデは、もはや単なる調査地ではなく、いつでも帰るのを心待ちにしている「もう一つの家族」がいる場所です。🏕️✨

ボツワナと日本の架け橋となる、この素晴らしい文化交流をみんなで応援しましょう！

12/06/2026

🥎 Get ready for the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup 2026! 🇧🇼🇯🇵
The Botswana Softball Association (BSA) is bringing you the ultimate softball showdown this weekend! The top 3 Northern and 5 Southern women’s teams, along with 4 Northern and 4 Southern men’s teams, are heading to Gaborone to battle for top honors.

This year’s tournament holds an extra special meaning as we celebrate the landmark 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Botswana! 🎉

Over nearly two decades, softball has been a cornerstone of cooperation between our two countries. From Japan's support for infrastructure like the borehole and irrigation system at the National Diamond in 2018 as well as various kinds of softball equipment to the 57 passionate JICA volunteer coaches dispatched over the years, our nations have built a beautiful bond through sports.

Come through and catch the action live!

Check out the BSA’s recent post to plan your weekend.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/184cbkzBBF/

📅 Dates: 12th - 14th June 2026
📍 Venue: National Diamond, Gaborone (behind the National Stadium)
💰 Entrance: P20.00 per person / P10.00 per car

On Sunday, 14th June at 12:30 PM, Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. OGAWA Shin, will deliver a short speech, shake hands with the finalists, and throw the ceremonial first pitch alongside the BSA President.

See you at the National Diamond! 🧢✨

Join us for a fun, exciting competition and team spirit.. Come cheer on your favorite players and enjoy an exciting softball games with family and friends.. 12 - 14 June 2026, National Stadium, Gaborone

10/06/2026

: 𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽🇯🇵🤝🇧🇼 📅10, June, 2023
Looking Back: JICA Botswana and World Environment Day in June
June is marked by World Environment Day, and in June 2023, a cleanup campaign was held in Molepolole to raise awareness of environmental protection.

On 10 June 2023, local residents, stakeholders, and a JICA Volunteer came together for the campaign. The Environmental Education Volunteer played a central role, including making announcements from a publicity vehicle and actively engaging in the community to promote proper waste disposal and environmental awareness.

JICA has dispatched many Environmental Education Volunteers over the years, and their work has continued to support local efforts in environmental conservation. Even today, Environmental Education Volunteers are actively working in various locations such as Tlokweng, Mogoditshane and Francistown, contributing to community based environmental education and awareness raising activities.

As we look back on this event from June, we reaffirm the importance of community cooperation in protecting the environment — not just on World Environment Day, but every day.

🫵🫵Wanted: Your favorite🫵🫵
Japan-Botswana memories! 📸✨
As we celebrate 60 years of friendship, we realized the best stories aren't in our archives—they’re with YOU!
✅Did you meet a lifelong friend through a JICA project?
✅ Do you still have a souvenir from a cultural event years ago?
✅ Or maybe a throwback photo from your time studying in Japan?

Tell us your story below! 👇 Let's bring
our shared history to life together. Your memory might just be our next featured story!

09/06/2026

✨ Thank you for joining us at the Multi-Cultural Fair 2026! ✨
We had an amazing time at Enko Botho International School on Saturday! It was wonderful to meet so many of you who dropped by the Japan Booth. Together with your incredible energy, we brought a piece of Japan right here to Gaborone.

Here is a quick look back at what we shared:
🌸 Cultural Fun & Highlights:
▪️ Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy): We loved seeing so many of you write your own names in beautiful Japanese characters!
▪️ Japan Quiz: Congratulations to everyone who tested their knowledge and walked away with cool prizes.
▪️ Manga & Anime: Our reading corner and vibrant poster displays brought out the smiles of many pop-culture fans.

📚 Opportunities in Japan:
▪️ We were delighted by your interest in studying and traveling to Japan. Thank you for picking up our scholarship guides and brochures!

🍵 A Taste of Japan:
▪️ Guests enjoyed a true cultural treat with our traditional Matcha, and a lucky few got to savor a mini cup of delicious Matcha Latte!

To everyone who visited, said hello, and immersed themselves in Japanese culture—Ke a leboga (ARIGATOU)!

Check out some of our favorite moments in the movie. 🇧🇼 🤝 🇯🇵