According to a report by the "Mainichi Shimbun", Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shoichi proposed on Wednesday the establishment of an economic zone connecting the Indian Ocean and Africa, as the country seeks to play a greater role on the African continent, while the United States' presence in Africa is decreasing and China's influence is rapidly growing.
Ishiba made a commitment at the opening of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD) to strengthen business and investment in the region by connecting the Indian Ocean region with the African continent, promoting free trade.
"Japan believes in the future of Africa," said Ishiba. "Japan supports the concept of the African Continental Free Trade Area," aimed at enhancing the region's competitiveness.
This year's summit was held against the backdrop of the negative impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff wars and significant cuts in foreign aid programs on development projects in Africa. Meanwhile, China has been expanding its presence in the region since 2000 through infrastructure construction and loan projects.
The three-day summit held in Yokohama near Tokyo focused on economy, peace and stability, health, climate change, and education. Leaders and representatives from about 50 countries on the African continent, as well as officials from international organizations, will attend the event.
Japan launched the Tokyo African Summit in 1993. The last one was held in Tunisia in 2022.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated during the event, "Africa must have a stronger voice in decisions that affect its future," and added that African countries are underrepresented in the international community and its decision-making processes.
According to the Indian Ocean African Economic Zone initiative, Japan aims to introduce Japanese companies operating in India and the Middle East to Africa.
Ishiba stated that Japan will coordinate with the African Development Bank to provide loans of up to $5.5 billion to promote sustainable development in Africa and address its debt problems.
He also said that Japan's goal is to provide support and train 30,000 artificial intelligence experts in the next three years to promote digitalization and create employment opportunities.
Guterres stated, "An unjust and unfair international financial architecture" must enhance Africa's representation and support a strong voice for Africa in the decision-making process. He further added that building AI capabilities in developing countries in Africa will help alleviate the digital divide in the region.
Attendees of the summit are expected to adopt the "Yokohama Declaration" on Friday, and Ishiba will announce the results at a press conference.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841066108708864/
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