about　NCAF

About NCAF

Nihon Chukinto Africa Fujinkai was founded in 1981 by a group of　women who had lived in Africa under the leadership of Ayako　Shigemitsu (died December 2017), wife of former ambassador to Nigeria Akira Shigemitsu (also accredited to Romania and the USSR). At the time, Japan interest in Africa was not as great as it is today, and there were only a few embassies from the continent in Tokyo, so that our initial goal was simply to create memorable occasions for African nationals living in Tokyo.

Since then, our activities have come to encompass people associated with the 50 countries and territories of the Middle East and Africa with embassies in Tokyo, coinciding with the area covered by the Middle East and Africa Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The association promotes friendship and goodwill by introducing Japanese culture and organizing excursions to scenic spots around Tokyo, mainly for the wives of diplomats and female diplomats serving at the relevant embassies. We also enjoy regular meetings in small groups over Japanese language study, flower arrangement, knitting and chorus.

The countries of the Middle East and Africa have often been perceived as distant from Japan and their cultures unfamiliar. Because we believe that it is important to increase interest in Africa and the Arab world among the Japanese people at large, we continue our efforts to introduce these cultures to the general public. We have published two books on African and Arab cuisine, “African & Arab Cooking” and “New African & Arab Cooking,” as well as two books compiling lullabies from different regions of Africa. Furthermore, we hold lectures and cooking workshops. Our cooking demonstrations, featuring the ladies of the embassies, are immensely popular. During the Corona pandemic, it was difficult to organize large events, but NCAF members found ways to continue to engage the women from the diplomatic community by inviting them out for neighborhood walks in small groups and by introducing our culture in fun and interesting ways online.

Another important activity of NCAF is a charity bazaar that is held every other year. The proceeds are donated to the participating embassies, who in turn donate them to welfare facilities in their countries through the wives of ambassadors. NCAF also contributes annually to Japanese NGOs involved in the Middle East and Africa to support their activities. The bazaar is attended regularly by members of the Imperial Family and attracts more than 2,000 visitors. It is a lively and enjoyable event featuring national cuisines, local crafts, and handiwork by members of the Embassy. 

NCAF continues to evolve, reflecting the changing times, but always with the mission of cultivating friendship and goodwill and forging ever stronger solidarity with our sisters  from Africa and the Middle East.