President William Ruto on Monday met with Japan’s ambassador to Kenya Ken Okaniwa during which they discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and officials from the Japanese embassy.

In a statement after the meeting, Ruto said Kenya and Japan have celebrated 60 years of diplomacy, friendship and partnership.

“We share a long history of trade, cordial relations and strong cooperation.”

Ruto revealed that during the meeting, Kenya managed to seal the infrastructure funding that will be key in stimulating agriculture and education.

“We are grateful for Japan’s funding of infrastructure projects in health, agriculture and education among them a high-tech laboratory/ facility upgrade at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Southern by-pass in Mombasa and an intelligent transport system in Mombasa County.”

During the meeting, Okaniwa delivered a message from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and apprised President Ruto of next year’s official visit to Japan.