Japanese special envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, says that countries emerging from conflict like Sri Lanka should not be asked to make all the changes immediately and should be given the opportunity for a “soft landing, not a hard landing.”

He also said that it was his opinion that a “non-judicial approach is more fruitful” to resolving many post-conflict issues.

Akashi, the Japanese Government’s Representative for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this afternoon, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow (Sept. 7).

President Rajapaksa expressed that Prime Minister Abe’s visit is an important one to Sri Lanka. It has been 24 years since a Japanese prime minister last visited the island, the President’s International Media unit said.

“It’s a very important visit for Japan, and I hope for Sri Lanka as well,” Mr. Akashi said, adding that Japan is “deeply grateful for your cooperation and good understanding.”

Mr. Akashi said that in addition to working on domestic issues, “Prime Minister Abe also makes sure that Japan has good friends outside the country.”

The President and Mr. Akashi also spoke at length about reconciliation efforts being adopted by the Government. President Rajapaksa briefed Mr. Akashi on the work of the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons and progress achieved in demining.

“Your progress in demining is extraordinary,” Mr. Akashi said. “In Cambodia, they are still demining. (We have) deep appreciation and gratitude to you for having done so much in the way of national reconciliation.”

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s arrival in Sri Lanka on Sept. 7 will set a record for foreign nations visited by a Japanese leader.

Japan’s premier was due today to arrive in Dhaka for a three-day visit to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka aimed at offsetting China’s mounting influence in South Asia.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was to meet his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina today in Dhaka and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse tomorrow in Colombo to boost economic and security ties.

Speaking to reporters before leaving Tokyo, Abe noted he was the first Japanese premier to visit Bangladesh in 14 years and Sri Lanka in 24 years.

He called Bangladesh and Sri Lanka “countries with a growing influence in economic and political domains”.

“I hope to introduce the dynamism of both countries to Japan’s economy by strengthening relations with them and engaging in top-level sales activities,” said Abe, who is accompanied by 50 top Japanese corporate executives.

Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, visited Sri Lanka as prime minister in 1957 when it was known as Ceylon.

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are important bases along the sea lanes that link Japan with the Middle East. The two nations have long had friendly ties with Japan, but China in recent years has increased its presence with support for the construction of ports.

Such social infrastructure has formed China’s so-called String of Pearls through the Indian Ocean. Japan has expressed concerns that this arrangement could affect the sea lanes though which the country imports much of its petroleum.

Abe’s visits to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are intended to heighten Japan’s presence in South Asia and serve as an attempt to drive a stake into the String of Pearls.

During his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Abe is expected to offer coast guard cutters to help Sri Lanka strengthen its maritime patrol activities.