Ruto addresses Yokohama City Assembly
By Cynthia Lodite, August 20, 2025President William Ruto has addressed the August Yokohama City Assembly in Japan, highlighting the deepening partnership between Kenya and the vibrant Japanese city, with a special mention of the collaboration through Alliance National School.
Ruto made his remarks on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Japan, where he praised Yokohama as a thriving industrial hub and a magnet for foreign direct investment, lauding its global reputation as a centre for culture and innovation.
“It is my profound honour to stand before this August Assembly, which represents one of the world’s most dynamic urban centres,” Ruto said.
While making his speech, the Head of State acknowledged Yokohama City as a perfect example of global progress, describing it as not only a thriving industrial hub but also a magnet for foreign direct investment and a recognised centre of culture and innovation.
“Yokohama city is not only a thriving industrial hub and a magnet for foreign direct investment but also an internationally recognised centre of culture and innovation,” Ruto said.
Partnership programmes
Ruto also emphasised that Kenya values not only the economic and cultural lessons Yokohama offers but also the opportunities for collaboration it presents. He noted that such partnerships are vital in supporting Kenya’s development agenda, particularly in education, innovation, and urban transformation.
“This city embodies the promise that with vision and sustained effort, meaningful and inclusive development is possible. Kenya greatly values the lessons and opportunity for collaboration that Yokohama City represents,” he added.
Ruto has commended the growing partnership between Kenya and Japan, highlighting a successful exchange programme between Yokohama Commercial High School and Kenya’s Alliance High School as a great example of people-driven diplomacy.
“A vibrant partnership already exists between Yokohama and Kenya; for example, the exchange programme between Yokohama Commercial High School and Alliance High School in Kenya has fostered authentic cross-cultural and educational experiences for students in both countries,” Ruto said.
The address is part of President Ruto’s broader diplomatic and economic outreach during his official visit to Japan.
Ruto departed Nairobi on Monday, August 18, 2025, for Japan to attend the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama.
According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Japan’s longstanding partnership with Kenya has grown to more than KSh600 billion, making Kenya the largest recipient of Japanese aid in Africa.
“The visit is expected to consolidate Kenya–Japan relations by expanding opportunities in trade, investment, and development cooperation,” the statement read.