The Sunday News
JAPAN has said second hand car exports to Zimbabwe and other countries was a sign that the country produces reliable and high quality vehicles, refuting claims that the Asian country was exporting the cars as a way of dumping phased out models.
Japan is exporting various forms of second hand cars across the world and in some cases cars are sold for $1 before shipping.
In Zimbabwe, figures from the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency show that locals spent close to $470 million importing vehicles from different countries last year.
A huge chunk of the vehicles was imported from Japan.
However, in an interview Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe researcher and adviser Mr Yu Nakao defended the rising import trend.
He said Japan was exporting a similar figure of vehicles around the world. This, he said, was due to the demand for their vehicles that are proving to be of high quality and durable.
“We are strongly against the opinion that Zimbabwe is a dumping ground for Japanese vehicles. Japanese vehicles are spreading all over the world due to their durability and quality. That is the reason why lots of Zimbabweans want to import them. It is possible to use them for a long time if there is proper and regular maintenance provided to them,” said Mr Nakao adding that some Japanese companies had already started to service and maintain imported vehicles in Zimbabwe.
Mr Nakao added that his country was ready to assist Zimbabwe achieve its economic turnaround programme as envisaged in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).
“The Government of Japan is ready to assist Zimbabwe in order to stimulate its economic growth. We always try to attract Japanese companies to come to Zimbabwe. These companies will be drawn from every sector including the motor industry and we will continue to support Zimbabwe for its economic revival and in line with its policy,” he said.
As of 2013, Japanese imports to Zimbabwe according to the Ministry of Finance in Japan were 4,15 billion yen (about $34,58 million) while Zimbabwean exports stood at 1,65 billion yen (about $13,75 million).
Mr Nakao said the bilateral relationship between Japan and Zimbabwe had been strengthened as observed by President Robert Mugabe’s visit to the Asian country last month and the bilateral meeting between President Mugabe and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
