Japan's Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Hamada paid a working visit in Tunisia on October 22-23, leading a delegation of observers to the elections of the Constituent Assembly and toured several polling stations in greater Tunis. Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry Khémaies Jhinaoui who conferred with the Japanese official, voiced satisfaction at "the support provided by Japan's government and people to the process of democratisation started since the Revolution of last January 14" and expressed hope that Japan will keep on supporting "the successful democratic transition in Tunisia". Kazuyuki Hamada reiterate for his part the readiness of his government to provide assistance to Tunisia in matters of economic partnership, infrastructure, regional development, investments, promotion of human resources and job creation. A communiqué published on Monday by the Foreign Ministry reads: "this visit testifies to the excellent Tunisian-Japanese relations and to the two countries' will to further develop consultations and dialogue to strengthen the friendly bilateral relations of co-operation notably in the fields of scientific and technical research and in matters of three-party-co-operation for the mutual benefit of the two friendly peoples ".