Japan seeks bigger role in Africa at Yokohama summit

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba opened a three-day summit Wednesday with nearly 50 African leaders, pledging stronger economic and strategic partnerships as Tokyo looks to boost its role on the continent amid waning U.S. engagement and growing Chinese influence.

The summit, part of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), has brought together heads of state, ministers, and international figures, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Ishiba is expected to announce a new Indo-Pacific–Africa cooperation framework aimed at connecting government agencies, industries, and policy experts to promote free trade and investment. A key pillar of the plan is the “Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative,” which seeks to redirect Japanese business activity from India and the Middle East into African markets.

Organizers say the initiative highlights Japan’s intention to become a reliable partner in Africa’s development, with an emphasis on connectivity, trade, and sustainable growth.

The summit comes as Japan attempts to distinguish its approach from that of China, whose massive infrastructure investments in Africa have drawn both praise and criticism. Tokyo has positioned its model as one built on transparency, long-term cooperation, and mutual benefit.

GAROWE ONLINE