Japan-Kenya Relations
Africa Policy Speech by Foreign Minister MOTEGI
“Shaping the Future of Japan-Africa Relations through a Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
May 3, 2026
On May 3 local time (on same day, Japan time), Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to Kenya, delivered a policy address entitled “Shaping the Future of Japan-Africa Relations through a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
- At the outset, Minister MOTEGI introduced that the “free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),” proposed by the late Prime Minister ABE in Kenya in 2016, marks its 10th anniversary this year, and, based on the “evolution” of FOIP put forward by Prime Minister TAKAICHI, stated the importance of African countries and regions strengthening their autonomy and resilience.
- Minister MOTEGI then explained the three pillars of Japan’s diplomacy toward Africa as follows:
- Realizing a Continent of Peace in Africa: active engagement in the peace and stability of the world, including Africa, through support for PKO training centers and OSA, among others.
- Creating synergies between the growth of Africa and Japan: creating a virtuous cycle of growth for both Japan and Africa through the promotion of the “Economic Region Initiative of Indian Ocean-Africa,” cooperation toward the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and further strengthening cooperation with African countries in the field of critical minerals.
- Realizing a society where everyone can genuinely feel prosperity, through empowering young-generation co-creation: promoting mutual exchanges between Japan and Africa through cooperation in higher education and the dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, among others.
- In addition, with regard to the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Minister MOTEGI recalled the outcomes of TICAD 9 held last August and expressed the view that TICAD itself should continue to evolve in preparation for TICAD 10, which is scheduled to be held in Africa two years from now.
