3 East Africa

(1) Uganda

Under President Yoweri Museveni's long-serving administration, Uganda has enjoyed economic growth owing to its stable domestic politics. The country currently hosts approximately 1.7 million refugees from neighboring countries, the largest number in Africa. In July, it was selected as the host country for the AU African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA). Uganda also contributes to stability in the Horn of Africa by, for example, deploying its military forces to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). At the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Relations) Henry Oryem Okello met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs TSUJI Kiyoto. In November, Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs FUJII Hisayuki, and both confirmed further enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena.

(2) Ethiopia

With the second largest population in Africa (130 million), Ethiopia has great economic potential. Since July, the country has been implementing macroeconomic reforms, including currency liberalization and fiscal reforms, with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. While sporadic fighting continues in parts of Amhara region and elsewhere, after two years have passed since the end of the conflict in the north ern part of the country, the situation is generally stable. Through meetings such as the Japan-Ethiopia Policy Consultation held in April and a meeting between State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arga Moach, who visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji, the two countries shared the view to further develop bilateral relations in a wide range of areas, including efforts to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and expand investment by Japanese companies.

(3) Eritrea

Eritrea is a country located on the international strait connecting the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal, and Europe. Its territorial waters are a crossroads in terms of security, with many Japanese-related ships passing through it. The Embassy of Japan in Kenya had been accredited to Eritrea and had a dual-role consulate in the country, but, given the importance of Eritrea's role for the stability of the Horn of Africa region, it was upgraded to the Embassy of Japan in Eritrea in January 2025.

(4) Kenya

Kenya is an important like-minded country for Japan that shares fundamental values and principles such as the “rule of law.” It is also the economic hub of East Africa region and one of the leading hubs of Japanese companies in Africa. In February, Prime Minister Kishida held a summit meeting with President William Samoei Ruto, who paid an Official Visit to Japan, and the two leaders concurred in working together to strengthen economic relations, promote FOIP, and strengthen cooperation in the international arena. Foreign Minister Kamikawa met with Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, who visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, where they agreed to launch the Japan-Kenya Policy Dialogue. In January 2025, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fujii, head of the Public Private Sector Joint Mission for Promoting Trade and Investment in Africa, visited Kenya and held wide-ranging discussions with government officials and business representatives from both countries toward promoting economic exchanges between the two countries.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Fujii at the Japan-Kenya Business Forum (January 16, 2025, Nairobi, Kenya)

(5) Union of Comoros

The Union of Comoros is Japan's partner and supports FOIP as a maritime nation like Japan. Under President Assoumani Azari, who was re-elected in the presidential election in January, the country has set the goal of becoming an emerging nation by 2030 under the “2030 Comoros Emerging Plan,” and is promoting the development of infrastructure such as ports and the blue economy⁽³⁾ through sustainable fishing practices. In August, Foreign Minister Kamikawa met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohamed Mbae, who was visiting Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, where the two ministers shared the view to cooperate closely to promote FOIP.

• (3) A concept to promote sustainable economic growth using marine resources.

(6) Djibouti

Djibouti is strategically located on a major trade route connecting Europe and Asia and is an important partner in realizing FOIP. Since 2009, Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) have been engaged in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. The SDF base established in Djibouti in 2011 is also used for the protection and transportation of Japanese nationals abroad. In addition, in December 2024, Japan and Djibouti exchanged notes for the first Official Security Assistance (OSA) project (provision of a coastal surveillance radar system, among other items). During his visit to Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ali Hassan held talks with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa and they shared the view to further develop Japan-Djibouti relations ahead of TICAD 9.

(7) Sudan

In Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting since April 2023. More than 11 million people have been displaced both inside and outside the country, creating a serious humanitarian crisis. Japan is providing humanitarian assistance to improve the humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighboring countries and is also working toward peace and stability in the region through efforts such as those made by its Ambassador, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. In July, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji met with Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Gibril Ibrahim Mohamed, who was visiting Japan to attend the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum, and the two sides shared the view to work closely together to achieve peace and stability in the region.

(8) Seychelles

Seychelles has one of the largest economic zones in the Indian Ocean and is an important partner for realizing FOIP. In June, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) training ships made a friendly port call at the country, followed by a destroyer in July, and the two countries conducted friendly drills. In August, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Louis Sylvestre Radegonde visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, and met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa, in which they shared the view to further develop bilateral relations and continue to cooperate in the international arena.

(9) Somalia

Peacebuilding and nation-building efforts are continuing in Somalia under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who took office in May 2022, and Japan is supporting the efforts of the Somali government. In 2024, Japan also provided support for strengthening the capabilities of police organizations, in addition to providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by terrorist activities by the radical Islamist group Al-Shabaab and by climate change. In August, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moallim Fiqi visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, and held a meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa, where they confirmed the further development of bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena with Somalia, which will become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) from 2025.

(10) Tanzania

Tanzania is located in a strategic position connecting eastern and southern Africa and continues to experience economic growth thanks to its stable domestic politics. In May, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji visited Tanzania, where he met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Yusuf Makamba and others, and exchanged views with representatives of Japanese companies. Furthermore, at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji met with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Cosato David Chumi, where the two countries shared the view to work closely together to strengthen economic ties. Furthermore, the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania co-hosted the Japan-Tanzania Business Forum in July and the Japan-Tanzania Business Dialogue in August with relevant local organizations, with the aim of supporting the expansion of Japanese companies into the country and improving the business environment.

(11) Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country located in the central part of the African continent. Since the 1970s, Japan has been providing development cooperation to the country, such as infrastructure development at the Port of Bujumbura and improvements to basic social services. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Albert Shingiro, who visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa, where they shared the view to cooperate to strengthen connectivity in the East African region.

(12) Madagascar

Madagascar is an island country in the Indian Ocean located off the southeastern coast of Africa that supports FOIP and is also an important supplier of mineral resources. In April, Foreign Minister Kamikawa became the first Japanese foreign minister to visit the country, paying a courtesy call on President Andry Nirina Rajoelina and meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafaravavitafika Rasata. The two ministers concurred on working together to promote economic resilience through cooperation in the development of a wider urban area and others by using “Co-creation for common agenda initiative” launched in the new Development Cooperation Charter. Foreign Minister Kamikawa also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Rasata during the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August.

Foreign Minister Kamikawa inspects the mobile clinic during her visit to Madagascar (April 28, Antananarivo, Madagascar)

(13) South Sudan

South Sudan has been in turmoil since clashes that broke out in December 2013, but a Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan was signed in September 2018. A general election based on the agreement was scheduled to be held in December 2024, but due to delays in preparations for the election, it was decided to extend the deadline for implementing the agreement by two years. Japan continues to support the peace and stability of South Sudan through development cooperation by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and support for UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). When Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, Foreign Minister Kamikawa had a meeting with him, and stated that Japan would continue to support efforts toward stability in South Sudan.

(14) Mauritius

Mauritius, with which Japan shares fundamental values and principles, is an important partner for realizing FOIP. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Maneesh Gobin, who visited Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting in August, met with Foreign Minister Kamikawa, where they shared the view to promote cooperation in the fields of maritime security and the blue economy, as well as to expand investment. In October, Mauritius reached an agreement with the United Kingdom (UK) on the issue of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, confirming that the UK would recognize Mauritius' sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, subject to the conclusion of a treaty and accompanying legal documents. National Assembly elections were held in November and the opposition coalition led by Navinchandra Ramgoolam won, bringing about a change of government.

(15) Rwanda

As Rwanda marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide, efforts toward national reconciliation and economic growth are continuing under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. President Kagame was re-elected in the presidential election held in July.

In May, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji visited Rwanda and met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta. In August, he met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation James Kabarebe, who was visiting Japan to attend the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, where the two ministers shared the view to cooperate to further develop bilateral relations.