With the G-7 summit fast approaching, Japan’s foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, is set to embark on a mission to woo the Global South ahead of the big meeting. Kishida’s planned trip to five African nations comes as Japan seeks to deepen its relationships with emerging economies and secure broader support for issues on the G-7 agenda. As the only non-G-7 country invited to the summit, Japan faces a unique opportunity to elevate its standing on the world stage by showcasing its diplomatic prowess and potential as a partner for long-term development.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to expand his country’s influence in Africa by visiting Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique during Japan’s Golden Week holidays at the end of April. The tour comes ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) summit that is set to take place in Hiroshima, Japan, in May. By visiting these four African countries, the Japanese government hopes to build diplomatic relations, deepen trade, and provide loans to African nations to counter China, Russia, and other regional competitors.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno revealed that the prime minister’s visit to these African countries aims to strengthen cooperative ties with Africa and promote Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. The visit is also intended to highlight Japan’s increasing interest in providing aid and infrastructure-financing to African countries. The move is expected to be well-received by African countries as Japan is a peaceful nation that focuses on development, which aligns with African countries’ interests.
This visit will be the first of its kind by a Japanese prime minister since Shinzo Abe visited Africa five years ago. Abe had launched the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and invested significant resources into building relationships and trade with African nations. Kishida’s upcoming trip has been given a similar focus, with a clear emphasis on providing assistance around issues that hold back Africa’s sustainable development.
One of the main reasons behind Kishida’s trip to Africa is to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is a massive infrastructure and investment project that covers more than 60 countries. The project aims to create a network of trade routes connecting China to the rest of the world through land and sea, thereby expanding Chinese influence. However, the project has faced many criticisms, including claims that the loans offered to African countries have left them with enormous debt.
To counter such criticism, Kishida has announced that Japan’s infrastructure financing programs will be transparent, financially secure, and environmentally sustainable. These financing programs have the potential to become a viable alternative to China’s BRI, which is often characterized by non-transparent loans and failure to consider environmental impact. Japan’s involvement in Africa will also help to boost economic growth in African countries, which will ultimately benefit both regions.
In summary, Kishida’s visit to Africa is a significant move by Japan to expand its influence in the Global South, initiate diplomatic relations, and promote sustainable development. The visit also signifies Japan’s effort to counter China’s BRI and Russia’s expansion in Africa. The country hopes to strengthen its international presence and create a win-win outcome for both Africa and Japan with this trip. Swift action is required, and the Japanese government has already laid the groundwork for its plan, focusing on lending and investment that is sustainable, transparent, and aimed at promoting development in Africa. This is a strategic move that could have a significant impact on Africa and Japan’s futures.
