Japan to push firms' foray into Africa under new initiative
At the three-day Tokyo International Conference on African Development, starting next Wednesday in Yokohama near Tokyo, Japan and African nations are also expected to agree to promote academic, industrial and governmental discussions to boost trade between the regions, the sources said.
Amid China's growing influence in Africa through large financial contributions, Japan will stress its role as a "partner" in working with African states to address social challenges, including fostering industries, the sources said.
At the TICAD gathering, the ninth since its launch in 1993, Japanese and African political leaders are set to discuss concrete measures to strengthen cooperation in the three key areas of "economy," "society" and "peace and stability."
Under the "Indian Ocean and Africa" economic initiative, Tokyo will work with New Delhi to help Japanese companies, mainly those operating in India, tap into the African market.
"In general, Japanese businesses that have already advanced to India tend to view Africa as a realistic target market," and supporting them will be an effective way to contribute to Africa's development, a source said, adding that Japanese firms in the Middle East have a similar tendency.
Among other economic agenda items, Japan will promote a more proactive "offer-based" official development assistance policy, replacing its traditional "request-based" approach, with a focus on northern Mozambique, which has abundant natural resources and a good natural harbor, the sources said.
Japan's push for digitalization in the medical field and demining efforts in Africa, in partnership with Cambodia, which cleared thousands of landmines from its decades-long civil war that ended in the early 1990s, are also likely to be among the topics, the sources said.
The triennial conference will be co-chaired by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Angolan President Joao Lourenco, with more than 40 African nations expected to participate, according to government officials. Japan last hosted the TICAD talks in 2019.
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