Handover ceremony of books donated by "READ JAPAN PROJECT"

On 8 April, 2025, a handover ceremony of the "READ JAPAN PROJECT", a book donation project to promote understanding of Japan, was held at the University of Dar es Salaam Library. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Nelson M. Boniface, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), Prof. Kelefa Mwantimwa, Director of Library Services, and H.E. Yoichi Mikami, Ambassador of Japan, as well as the staff of the University of Dar es Salaam Library.

The "READ JAPAN PROJECT", supported by the Nippon Foundation, and implemented by the Tokyo Foundation, aims to promote interest in and understanding of Japan by donating Japan-related books to libraries and research institutions around the world. To date, approximately 98,000 books have been donated to more than 1,400 institutions in over 150 countries, and this is the second donation to the University of Dar es Salaam Library (the third including the College of Education at the University of Dar es Salaam).

Ambassador Mikami expressed his congratulations on the occasion, mentioning that the long-standing friendly relations between Japan and Tanzania made the donation possible, and read a message from Dr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation. In his message, Chairman Sasakawa highlighted his long-standing relationship with Tanzania and his efforts to eradicate leprosy and expressed his hope to deepen the ties between the two countries through educational and cultural exchanges.

It is hoped that the young people of Tanzania will deepen their understanding of Japan through the donated books and become a bridge between the two countries.