Japan Considers Loan to Mauritius for Cargo Ship Oil Spill Damage

Japanese Foreign Minister Visits Mauritius... "Medium- to Long-Term Support for Economic Recovery"

Motegi Toshimitsu, Japanese Foreign Minister
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Regarding the oil spill accident caused by a Japanese cargo ship in the waters of the island nation of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, it has been reported that the Japanese government is considering providing a loan to Mauritius.

According to NHK and others on the 14th, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu held a meeting for about an hour with Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who visited the day before, and expressed his intention to provide medium- to long-term support for Mauritius's economic recovery. Kyodo News reported that after the meeting, Foreign Minister Motegi stated at a press conference that he is positively considering providing a loan worth 30 billion yen (approximately 314.7 billion KRW).

Foreign Minister Motegi also announced after meeting with Mauritius Foreign Minister Nandcoomar Bodha that Japan will begin support for environmental protection and fishery recovery starting next month. NHK reported that the two foreign ministers confirmed the importance of resolving issues through dialogue according to rules and agreed to closely cooperate in various fields, including freedom of navigation and promotion of investment, to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific initiative.

Additionally, Foreign Minister Motegi signed a document stating that Japan will provide disaster prevention supplies worth 600 million yen free of charge.

Earlier, on July 25, the cargo ship "Wakashio," owned and managed by the Japanese shipping company Nagashiki Shipping and operated by Shosen Mitsui, ran aground off the coast of Mauritius, causing a large amount of heavy fuel oil to spill from August 6, severely polluting the surrounding coastline.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.