New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has held a series of engagements with key Japanese institutions as part of his visit to the Asian country, exploring opportunities and policy approaches in technology, healthcare, infrastructure development and industrialisation.The engagements focused on how Japan has developed and applied technology and innovative policy interventions in areas such as monetary policy, digital payment systems, vaccine research and manufacturing, flood management, environmental protection and industrial development.Among the institutions he visited was the Bank of Japan, where discussions centred on monetary policy, central bank digital currency (CBDC) and the development of payment systems.The engagement provided an opportunity for discussions on Japan’s approach to central banking and the use of digital technology in financial transactions, particularly as countries continue to explore innovations in their financial systems.Dr Bawumia and his delegation also engaged officials of Japan’s Digital Agency, the institution responsible for coordinating the country’s digital transformation initiatives.The discussions examined Japan’s digitalisation efforts and the role of technology in improving public services and strengthening the delivery of government services.In the healthcare sector, the delegation met officials of Chiba University, where discussions focused on vaccine research and manufacturing.The engagement explored issues relating to scientific research, vaccine development and manufacturing capacity, areas considered important to strengthening healthcare systems and improving preparedness for public health emergencies.Infrastructure development and flood management also featured prominently in the engagements.At Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Dr Bawumia and his delegation held discussions on flood prevention and river management, with attention to Japan’s approaches to managing water resources and reducing the risks associated with flooding.The discussions provided an opportunity to examine infrastructure and technical interventions that could offer useful lessons for Ghana, particularly in addressing recurring flooding and improving the management of water bodies.The delegation also met representatives of the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, where industrial development and related policy issues formed part of the discussions.Another engagement was held with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Japan, focusing on industrial policy and development strategies.The discussions centred on approaches to industrial development and how countries can use policy and technology to strengthen productive sectors and support economic transformation.Dr Bawumia also held discussions with the Chairman of the Research Committee on International Affairs, a member of Japan’s House of Councillors, the country’s upper parliamentary chamber.The meeting provided an opportunity for exchanges on international affairs and matters relating to cooperation between countries.Describing the engagements as fruitful and insightful, Dr Bawumia expressed appreciation to his Japanese hosts for the reception accorded him and his delegation, as well as the perspectives shared during the meetings.Bawumia explores Japanese technology for Ghana’s galamsey challengeEarlier in the visit, Dr Bawumia toured 3R, a Japanese environmental technology company specialising in sustainable solutions, where he was introduced to technologies designed to address environmental pollution.The company has developed systems capable of recycling water and treating contaminated soil through the removal of harmful heavy metals, including mercury.The technologies attracted particular interest from Dr Bawumia, given Ghana’s continuing efforts to address the environmental destruction associated with illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.Illegal mining has contributed to the degradation of land and the pollution of water bodies, with mercury contamination among the environmental concerns associated with some mining activities.Dr Bawumia said the technology demonstrated by the company could offer valuable lessons for Ghana’s efforts to restore degraded lands and polluted water bodies.He noted that witnessing the technology in operation had reinforced the importance of adopting sustainable and innovative approaches to addressing environmental challenges.According to him, advances in environmental technology demonstrate the potential to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems, safeguard natural resources and protect future generations.He thanked the management and technical team of 3R for hosting the delegation and sharing their expertise.The engagements form part of Dr Bawumia’s broader study tour of Japan, which has focused on examining how the Asian country applies scientific research, technology and institutional policies to address development challenges.The areas explored during the visit include digital transformation, healthcare innovation, infrastructure management, environmental restoration and industrial development, with discussions centred on lessons that could inform Ghana’s development priorities.