Africa

In August 2015, Japan signed Exchange of Notes with Kenya to provide up to 4 billion yen ($35 million) to fund important healthcare programs. With a goal of achieving universal health coverage, Kenya is focusing on making obstetrics care free, reinforcing the primary care system and expanding national healthcare insurance to those living in poverty.

This year, the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) will be held in Kenya. A number of Japanese companies have already been in operation in Kenya; one of which is Wellthy Corporation. They provide water purification instruments and consultation services in cooperation with local water suppliers, contributing to hundreds of families to access clean water. Japan is actively assisting enthusiastic Japanese companies to open businesses in Kenya for further development of both countries.

Kaizen, the well-known Japanese approach seeking continuous improvement, is the latest “soft skill” being exported to Ethiopia to help businesses there improve their competitiveness. The country is now enjoying rapid economic growth with the gross national product rising a robust 10% annually since 2005. To help this economic progress continue, “kaizen” can be applied to improve industrial and business techniques and to further develop the economy.

Japan and Cote d’Ivoire have launched a project to produce domestic rice in order to create a sustainable solution to the country’s food problems The program is the latest employing Japanese technology and specialists to help sustain the recent strong improvement in Cote d’Ivoire’s economy. Focusing on two main goals: restoring a safe, stable society and stimulating economic growth, Japan is committed to being a long-term partner to this important emerging country.

The Japan-Mozambique relationship dates all the way back to the 16th century when Yasuke, a samurai warrior from Mozambique, became a retainer to one of Japan’s most famous daimyos during that turbulent period. In this century, Japan in turn supports the sustainable development of Mozambique in numerous ways, including the restoration of the Saint Sebastian Fortress in the Island of Mozambique, the UNESCO world heritage site, which was also built in the 16th century.

College de Fukuzawa located in Republic of Djibouti is the symbol of Japan-Djibouti friendship. Japanese support for Djibouti started in the 1980s in the form of food aid. Nowadays, the people-to-people relationship between the two countries is also growing. A number of students study at College de Fukuzawa, a school which is supported by Japan. The name “Fukuzawa” actually means “to create the future” in the Djiboutian local language. Japan and Djibouti will continue working together to create a better future for both countries.

Maritime safety is crucial for the development of Djibouti. Since 2009, Japan has been actively assisting at multiple levels, such as providing training programs for the Djibouti Coast Guard (DCG). Further, in 2015, two patrol boats were transferred from the Japan Coast Guard to the DCG. These boats are expected to make a significant contribution to ensuring the safety of the Djiboutian people.

Without sufficient access to clean water and sanitation, nearly 580,000 infants around the world died of diarrheal diseases in 2013, making it the deadliest one for infants. To tackle this problem, Japan has initiated several projects, notably in Mozambique. One of these projects included the building of wells in local villages, as well as the creation and implementation of a water management system designed to supply water locally. Another project was aimed at teaching elementary school students how to use toilets hygienically and to encourage their family to install a private toilet to help maintain a healthier lifestyle.

In 2014, the first Karate master in Rwanda returned to his students after 25 years. Hidetoshi Mizutani built a foundation for Karate, a Japanese martial art, in Rwanda during his volunteering period between 1987-1989. Soon after his departure from the country, the tragic genocide deprived many students of their lives. Yet, the spirit of Karate never ceased—surviving students built the Karate Federation and, in 2014, the first Japanese Ambassador’s Karate Cup was held. Mizutani was invited as the main judge. After the match, Mizutani was honored for his contribution to Karate in Rwanda by a former student, who is now the president of the Federation. There are plans for more Karate experts from Japan to be dispatched soon.

Since 2013, Japan has hosted and exhibited pavilions and stalls at the Saba Saba Fair, an international trade fair in Tanzania. Both public and private sector representatives cooperate with each other to promote Japanese business and its contribution to Tanzanian development. For instance, Tromso Co.Ltd provides the technical expertise and equipment to produce fuel from rice husks. This allows farmers to earn greater benefits from their produce. Japan is planning to open more businesses which fulfill local needs in Tanzania.

In Siha district in Tanzania, a boy cycles to school every day. He rides one of 500 bicycles donated from Ibaraki-City, Japan to improve mobility for the local population. The bicycles were donated as part of an agreement between Ibaraki City and Aggrey Mwanri MP of Tanzania, who participated in a seminar on regional administration held in Osaka. The new transportation method not only minimizes time and efforts spent by students in getting to school, but also helps community workers to more effectively improve the lives of local people. Japan and Tanzania are working together on a number of projects to strengthen local governments in Tanzania.

Since resuming their economic partnership in April 2014, Japan and Madagascar have been discussing how they should build the most effective partnership. Japan is planning to support the government to achieve the following four objectives: agricultural development, establishment of economic infrastructure, improvement of health and education, and good governance.

Ghana, one of the world’s most rapidly developing countries, is an important partner of Japan. The two countries work together on health and agricultural research and have also been making efforts to improve the economic gap between urban and rural areas in Ghana. The combined expertise of the two countries is expected to make significant contribution toward increasing Ghana’s prosperity.

A Japanese food company has been working in cooperation with the University of Ghana and an US NPO to develop a nutritious new food product called ‘KOKO Plus’. In Ghana’s northern region, community-based saleswomen have organized promotional events, including a karaoke session. At the karaoke event, local mothers teamed up to compose and sing their original ‘KOKO Plus’ jingles. The products are now available at more than 600 shops in Ghana, and will help to improve the health of many local children.

In 2014, a main road was built connecting Kinshasa airport to its city center, with support by Japanese constructors. As part of the Japanese construction philosophy, efforts were made to build mutual trust with local residents by paying full attention to the safety of road users, clearly marking construction sites and regularly cleaning the road with sprinkler trucks.

Matadi Bridge in the DR Congo has become a popular photo spot for couples on their honeymoon. Since its opening in 1983, the bridge has been maintained by local engineers with Japanese technical support. Engineers are now in the process of training new generations, passing down their expertise. To support these efforts, Japan has organized training programs for young engineers. They will play important roles in protecting and maintaining the bridge for future generations.

In 2014, Japan helped to build Uganda’s first baseball ground, which now serves as a training ground for the country’s national team. Baseball is becoming a highly popular sport in Uganda and now there are a number of Ugandan players in Japan’s professional baseball league. Japan will continue to support Uganda’s growing baseball culture and to foster friendship through sport between our two countries.