•From far left: Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo (left), National Heritage Conservation Commission Victoria Falls site manager John Zulu, Japanese Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino, Livingstone Mayor Milford Maambo and Princess Kiko Akishino at the historical Baobab Tree (not in picture) in Livingstone yesterday. Picture by BRIAN HATYOKA

By BRIAN HATYOKA-
LIVINGSTONE Town Clerk Vivian Chikoti has urged more Japanese investors to consider investing in Zambia.
Ms Chikoti hoped the visit by the Japanese Imperial Highnesses Prince Fumihito Akishino and Princess Kiko to Zambia would attract more Japanese investors to the country.
She said Livingstone and Zambia at large had the capacity to accommodate more investors, especially in the tourism sector, which ranked highly on the Government agenda.
Ms Chikoti was speaking in Livingstone yesterday at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport when she gave her welcoming remarks to the visiting Japanese royalty.
A Royal Air Charters plane that carried the royal couple touched down at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport around 10: 00 hours.
The duo, who was accompanied by Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkandu Luo, was received at the airport by Southern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Douglas Ngimbu, Livingstone Mayor Milford Maambo, Kazungula District Commissioner Pascalina Musokotwane and Livingstone District Commissioner Omar Munsanje, among several senior Government officials.
Ms Chikoti said a new international terminal building had been built at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport to enable the airport handle more travellers.
“Zambia is endowed with abundant natural and cultural resources and it is our sincere hope that your visit to Livingstone will leave an indelible mark for many years,” Ms Chikoti said.
“Since the co-hosting of the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in August 2013, Livingstone has witnessed an increase in the number of both domestic and international tourists.”
She said Zambia and Japan had a long history of co-operation in the areas of sport through judo, road construction, health, culture, agriculture and many other areas.
Ms Chikoti said this year marked Zambia and Japan’s 50 years of diplomatic relations and was grateful for the ongoing relationship.
The duo visited Livingstone Museum in the morning and was expected to visit Victoria Falls in the afternoon, as well as the Baobab Tree and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.