Ouagadougou: The Faso-Japan Solidarity Association (A.FA.JAP.S) organized a friendly meal on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Ouagadougou, with its Japanese language learners. This moment of sharing marked the end of the first phase of initiation to the Japanese language and culture.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the association organized a Japanese cultural and linguistic immersion session for young Burkinabe. At the end of this training, the association’s members, supervisory staff, and students gathered to network and combine business with pleasure.
Siaka Gob©, president of the Faso-Japan Solidarity Association, explained that this day of sharing is a break marking the end of the first phase of Japanese language learning, which began in December 2024. “Around fifteen learners are taking part in this first wave of initiation to the Japanese language and culture,” he explained.
Mr. Gob© stressed that this meeting also aimed to present the A.FA.JAP.S initiative for the promotion and popularization of the Japanese language to members of the Japanese Embassy in Burkina Faso as well as to those of Japanese cooperation. However, he was keen to point out that the objective of this project is to “facilitate the integration of young Burkinabe people who are considering working in Japan.”
“This training will also prepare young Burkinabe people to be more effective in conquering the market of future Japanese investors in Burkina Faso,” he added, emphasizing the linguistic advantages in job searches, both in Burkina Faso and in Japan. Siaka Gob© also reaffirmed the A.FA.JAP.S’s willingness to support all those passionate about the Japanese language.
In the same vein, San Yoshida, a Japanese phonetics teacher, emphasized that this setting is an opportunity to introduce Japanese culture to language lovers. However, she urged her students to be more diligent in order to better benefit from the advantages offered by the language.
Faced with this opportunity, the A.FA.JAP.S trainees expressed their satisfaction with this first phase. One of them, Fatoumata Traor©, praised “the friendliness, reliability, and open-mindedness of the Japanese.” Thanks to this apprenticeship, she envisions future professional collaborations with the Japanese to contribute to the development of Burkina Faso. She also praised the A.FA.JAP.S initiative, which she believes helps combat illegal immigration and promotes endogenous development.
In the same vein, student Cheick Kouldiaty stated that “learning Japanese is an additional asset, another string to my bow,” opening the way to possible opportunities for collaboration with Japan. He noted similarities between African and Japanese cultures, particularly with regard to “humility.” Cheick Kouldiaty praised the work of the trainers and thanked A.FA.JAP.S for the opportunity offered to Burkinabe youth.