The Japanese government is to fund two major projects under the Eastern Corridor Development Project being undertaken by the Ministry of Roads and Highways. The projects are the construction of the road network from the Asutuare Junction through Volivo to the Asikuma Junction and a new bridge over the River Volta. The bridge is estimated to cost $99.4 million, while the stretch from the Asutuare Junction to Volivo and the road between Dufor Adidome and the Asikuma Junction are estimated to cost $66.5 million and $94.9 million, respectively. The projects will be financed under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is part of Japan's official development assistance programme. When completed, the new bridge will reduce the stress on the Adomi Bridge, which provides a critical connection from the Eastern and Greater Accra regions to the Volta Region. The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Naoto Nikai, expressed Japan’s commitment to finance the projects when he interacted with the Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Amin Sulemani. Mr Naoto had paid a courtesy call on Alhaji Sulemani to congratulate him on his appointment and also discuss issues of mutual interest to the two nations. Ghana’s relationship with Japan dates back to 1927 when Dr Hideyo Noguchi visited Ghana (then the Gold Coast) for research on yellow fever. The two countries have since maintained a good relationship, which has resulted in the Far East country supporting Ghana in some of its developmental projects. The government of Japan regards Ghana as one of the most important countries in terms of Japan's aid policy toward Africa. Ghana has been the biggest recipient country in sub-Saharan Africa with regard to economic cooperation from Japan since 1997 and Japan has been the leading donor country for Ghana since 1988. Already, Japan is funding the reconstruction of the Yamoransa Junction-Bekwai road and also building a bridge to connect Assin Praso to Assin Adanse in the Central Region. Japan suspended its loan facilities to Ghana when the country opted for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Subsequently, Japan cancelled Ghana’s debt of $1 billion owed it in 2004. Mr Nikai explained that the Japanese government had decided to support Ghana with what it called Yen loans to assist in Ghana’s development strides. Alhaji Sulemani expressed the readiness of his ministry to partner the Japanese government to develop Ghana’s road infrastructure.