Trade minister Toshimitsu Motegi said he has confirmed with the Kenyan government a joint undertaking for oil exploration in the southwestern part of the African country.
State-owned resource developers Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. and National Oil Corp. of Kenya agreed in April last year to jointly conduct exploration in the Great Rift Valley region. The project was reconfirmed with the government of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who came to power this April, Motegi said Monday.
In an interview, Motegi, who met with Deputy President William Ruto in Nairobi on Sunday, said, "it is important for Japan to eventually secure oil interests" in Kenya.