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Can Japan’s renewed vows to Africa dent expanded China influence?
- PM Kishida’s promises of funding and support for African causes during his four-nation tour recall past glories before ‘lost decade’
- Observers said China’s growing influence in the continent is one reason for the visit, but also pointed to historic Japanese support for Africa
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Japan is seeking to restore some of its economic and diplomatic glory in Africa, promising to mobilise public and private finance for multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects as part of its vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
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Tokyo also wants a bigger role in brokering peace for the continent’s hotspots, such as the ongoing military battle in Sudan. In addition to US$500 million to “promote peace and stability”, Japan is sending a special envoy to the Horn of Africa.
Before China became a major player in Africa, Tokyo for decades pumped billions of dollars into the building of roads, power plants and ports on the continent. But Japan’s economic slowdown of the 1990s – its “lost decade” – forced a cut in overseas development investments.
With China now Africa’s largest trading partner and lender, and with growing competition from the US and Europe, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida renewed Tokyo’s vows to the continent last week in Nairobi, during his four-nation tour that included Egypt, Mozambique and Ghana.
In an apparent swipe at China’s transcontinental Belt and Road Initiative, Kishida said Tokyo offers “transparent and fair” financing. Japan and other Group of 7 members – especially the United States – have criticised Chinese lending as burdening countries with “debt traps”.
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China denies the debt trap allegation, and “has long been following the principle of transparency and openness and expanding new areas … in light of Africa’s needs”, according to a foreign ministry statement.
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