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Meeting of Japanese Ambassadors to Africa in 2000
Recommendations by the Ambassadors

March 1, 2000

I. Japanese Diplomacy Toward Africa

(a) African problems, i.e., poverty, conflicts, refugees, infectious diseases, etc., should remain to be major international concerns. At the same time, the international community should pay due attention to the great potential of Africa into the future.
(b) As Japan and Africa are geographically remote and have had little historical restraints, diplomacy toward Africa is a touchstone for Japan to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the entire world with a global perspective. Africa is the frontier for Japan's diplomacy.
(c) Japan, as a friend of Africa, should actively be involved in African conflict and development issues, based on the fundamental ideas endorsed at the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD II) to support African self-help efforts.
(d) The international community should enhance its effort to support Africa, especially when their self-help efforts fall short of overcoming the challenges faced. Japan will cooperate with, and lead when necessary, the international community. Bearing this in mind, as the chair of the G8, Japan should extend further diplomatic efforts.

II. Dealing with African Conflicts

Japan should render as much cooperation as possible to the conflict prevention and conflict resolution efforts in Africa:

  • Intensifying political appeals as a major player in the international community (towards international public opinion, conflicting parties, UN Security Council, etc.);
  • Strengthening supports to the efforts by regional and sub-regional organizations (OAU, ECOWAS, SADC, etc.) as well as the concerned states parties for conflict prevention and resolution;
  • Considering and implementing fine-tuned preventive measures in each conflict phase;
  • Tackling the factors protracting conflicts (e.g., influx of small arms) in coordination with the international community.

III. Development Assistance/Promotion of TICAD Process

(a) TICAD is the mainstay and an important asset of Japan's diplomacy toward Africa.
(b) Japan should make strenuous efforts to move forward the follow-up activities of TICAD II, in particular with a view to enhancing Asia-Africa cooperation.
(c) As follow-up efforts have been rewarded with certain achievements, Japan should continue such efforts to maintain the momentum gained through the success of TICAD II. At the same time, Japan should endeavor to foster a philosophy of future assistance for African development.

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