History of Diplomatic Relations

Kenya's diplomatic relations with Japan date back to 1963 when Kenya attained its independence and promptly received Japan's official recognition. The following year (1964) Japan established an Embassy in Nairobi and in 1979 Kenya opened an Embassy in Tokyo.

Since that time, Kenya as the gateway and hub for East and Central Africa, has occupied a very special position in Japan's diplomatic relations within the region. Today, Nairobi hosts one of the largest Japanese communities in Africa and is the Regional Headquarters for all of Japan's major Agencies (JICA, JETRO and JBIC) as well as its largest trading houses.