Prime Minister Taro Aso's list of diplomatic accomplishments may be short but Japan's latest aid project in southeastern Africa could eventually become a key resource to support the nation's food security.
Kenzo Oshima, senior vice president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the world's largest aid agency, believes the joint venture with Brazil in Mozambique could also reduce poverty in Africa.
"This is a program that will take 10 years, 20 years to bear fruit," Oshima said during an interview with The Japan Times earlier this month, adding that it epitomizes the future model of Japan's overseas development assistance.