Tag - ticad

 
 

TICAD

First Lady Yoshiko Ishiba (center, in white and blue dress) hosts an event on Japanese culture with the first ladies of African leaders on the sidelines of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Aug. 21.
JAPAN / FOCUS
Aug 27, 2025
Confusion over Japan’s ‘hometown’ plan overshadows African development event
Social media and news have focused more on the misinformation that Japan is accepting a large number of immigrants from Africa.
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida chairs a plenary session at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Aug. 21.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Aug 27, 2025
Is Kishida plotting a return of the king? Or would he rather stay a kingmaker?
Since stepping down, the former prime minister and Liberal Democratic Party president has been raising his public profile and growing his social media presence.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrives at a photo session for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reacts, in Yokohama, last week.
JAPAN / Society
Aug 26, 2025
Misinformation over JICA’s Africa ‘hometown’ initiative sparks controversy
Media reports claiming the initiative would include a special visa category for skilled Africans who want to come to Japan exacerbated the confusion.
Japanese companies showcase products and services at a business event held on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Friday.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Aug 25, 2025
Risk reduction key to boosting Japanese investment in Africa
At TICAD 9, Japan promised to help African states develop 300,000 workers in cooperation with Japanese firms.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the Japan-led Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development, or TICAD 9, on Friday in Yokohama.
JAPAN
Aug 22, 2025
TICAD adopts Yokohama Declaration to strengthen multilateral trade
The communique emphasized proposals to solve problems facing African states, apparently reflecting Japan's wish to highlight a different approach to that of China.
Cindy McCain, the executive director of the U.N. World Food Programme, speaks during an interview in Yokohama on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Aug 21, 2025
WFP chief wants world to pay attention to Africa
The continent, whose countries suffer from famine, refugee and other humanitarian crises, is sometimes forgotten, Cindy McCain, the executive director of the U.N. body, says.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba meets with Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera on the sidelines of the TICAD meeting in Yokohama on Thursday.
JAPAN
Aug 21, 2025
Japan calls for private investments in Africa at TICAD
Tokyo is offering itself as an alternative to China as African nations reel from a debt crisis made worse by Western aid cuts, conflict and climate change.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (center) and African leaders prior to the opening of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama on Wednesday
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 20, 2025
Ishiba unveils new regional economic initiative as TICAD 9 conference begins
The initiative is designed to enhance economic ties between the African continent and regions linking it with India.
The Japanese flag (left) with the flag of the African Union
JAPAN / Society
Aug 18, 2025
JICA to designate four Japanese cities as 'hometowns' for African nations
Officially connecting municipalities that already have existing ties with African countries will allow Japan to strengthen exchanges.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a news conference in Tokyo last month.
JAPAN / Politics
Aug 16, 2025
Japan to accelerate development of logistics network in Africa
The planned corridor, which will link the inland African country of Zambia and a port in Mozambique, is aimed at enhancing supply chains for mineral resources.
One problem with Japan’s investments in African infrastructure compared to other countries is that its projects often lack long-term sustainability and alignment with local development plans, limiting their impact. 
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 5, 2024
Is Japan’s involvement in Africa’s development outdated?
Japan's traditional aid approach is seen as too transactional and insufficiently addressing Africa's broader development challenges.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa attends a new conference for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on Aug. 25.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 3, 2024
Africa's rising importance for Japan’s Indo-Pacific goals
Africa is becoming an increasingly important element of Japanese FOIP strategy. It is a work in progress, but it is proceeding.
Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and other officials attended a joint news conference at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on Sunday.
JAPAN
Aug 25, 2024
TICAD ministerial meeting adopts first joint statement
TICAD attendees agreed that reforming the U.N. Security Council is "indispensable for redressing historical injustices against Africa."
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Kenyan President William Ruto arrive at a joint news conference in Nairobi in May.
JAPAN
Jan 2, 2024
Japan to boost ties with Africa, with eye on China
Japan's shift in approach mirrors Africa's importance as "a significant voting bloc" of 50-plus countries that Tokyo can look to for support in international conferences.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Apr 28, 2023
In 'new scramble for Africa,' Japan slips behind
Kishida is making a trip to Africa, but Tokyo is struggling to define its relationship with the continent as China and Russia ramp up their influence in the region.
BUSINESS
Sep 20, 2022
African Development Bank chief sees Japanese private sector as pathway to growth
Akinwumi Adesina has urged Japanese businesses to set aside outdated perceptions and invest more in the diverse opportunities offered by the continent.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Aug 24, 2022
Japan eyes increased support and investment in Africa amid food crisis
High-ranking officials from more than a dozen African states are set to attend the summit, which will focus on sustainability, both in terms of economic development and human resilience.
JAPAN
Aug 16, 2022
Japan urged to support Africa over looming hunger crisis
African countries are extremely vulnerable to 'shocks' because of their dependence on foreign foodstuffs, including grain.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Aug 31, 2019
African Development Bank chief seeks 'bolder' Japanese investment in Africa
African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina has called on Japanese companies to be "bolder" about making investments in Africa.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 30, 2019
TICAD closes with effort by Japan to differentiate its African investment projects from China's
The three-day African development conference ends with a 13-page Yokohama Declaration viewed as criticism of Beijing's “debt-trap diplomacy” in the rapidly growing continent.

Longform

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From ashes to high-rises: A survivor’s account of Tokyo’s postwar past