Chapter 2
Japan's Foreign Policy by Region
5 Central Africa
(1) Gabon
The interim government that was inaugurated in August 2023 is steadily progressing with the process of transferring power to civilian rule toward the presidential election scheduled to be held in 2025 as it conducted a national dialogue in April and a national referendum on a new constitutional proposal in November, both of which were peaceful and transparent. Japan is supporting Gabon's transition to civilian rule through measures such as strengthening the country's judicial system, including the signing and exchange of notes in July regarding the grant aid project “The Project for Promoting an Accountable, Effective and Inclusive Justice Sector (in cooperation with UNDP).”
(2) Cameroon
Cameroon remains under the long-running administration of President Paul Biya. The government continues to work towards resolving issues in English-speaking regions.
In March, Japan signed and exchanged notes regarding the grant aid project “The Project for Promoting Sustainability and Strengthening International Competitiveness of Domestic Products by Enhancing Advanced Technologies” (in cooperation with UNIDO).
Minister of External Relations Lejeune Mbella Mbella attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held a foreign ministers' meeting with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
(3) Democratic Republic of the Congo
President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo began his second term in office in January. Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa attended the presidential inauguration ceremony later that month as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy and held talks with the president.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa pays a courtesy call on President Tshisekedi at the Democratic Republic of the Congo presidential inauguration ceremony (January 20, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Japan is promoting cooperation on socio-economic development of the country, including infrastructure support in areas such as transportation and electricity.
In the eastern region, activities by armed groups have led to the internal displacement of people and a worsening human rights and humanitarian situation, resulting in the deployment of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Japan is providing assistance through the reestablishment of a local policing model.
Delegated Minister to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie in charge of Cooperation and Francophonie Bestine Kazadi Ditabala, attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji.
Mpox infections began to spread around the fall of 2023, and in August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In response to a request from the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan signed and exchanged notes with the government of the country in September regarding the donation of vaccines and other supplies.
(4) Republic of Congo
The Republic of Congo is home to the vast Congo Basin and is actively working to address climate change issues, including forest conservation.
As food security measures are an urgent issue, Japan continues to provide food aid to the country through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).
(5) Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe has a rich natural environment and is focusing on the environment, such as ecotourism. In December, it graduated from being a least developed country (LDC). The Government of Japan continues to provide food aid, and the counterpart funds(4) accumulated in return for food aid are used to promote the country's economic and social development.
(4) The recipient government is required to deposit a certain amount of surplus local currency generated when the Japanese government provides aid funds (foreign currency) in a local currency bank account (counterpart funds). The recipient government may use the counterpart funds for projects and procurement of goods that contribute to economic and social development, after discussing the use of the funds with the Japanese government through its diplomatic missions overseas.
(6) Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea remains under the long-running administration of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Japan appointed Francisco Esono Mba Onguene as its first Honorary Consul in Malabo.
In February, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Simeón Oyono Esono Angue during his visit to Ethiopia for the AU Assembly.
Secretary of State for International Organizations Mari-Cruz Evna Andeme attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa.
(7) Chad
Chad held a presidential election in May and interim President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno was inaugurated as president. A national assembly election was held in December, which was an important part of the process towards the country's transition to civilian rule.
In February, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Fukazawa met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamat Saleh Annadif during his visit to Ethiopia for the AU Assembly.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abderaman Koulamallah attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August and held talks with Foreign Minister Kamikawa.
Japan values and encourages the role that Chad plays in maintaining peace and stability in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions and continues to provide food aid. Japan also supports the host communities (host areas) facing an increasing burden due to the acceptance of refugees and displaced persons from neighboring countries, including Sudanese refugees.
(8) Central African Republic
There are numerous anti-government armed groups in the Central African Republic where the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is deployed. Although the security and humanitarian situation is improving, there remain a large number of internally displaced persons.
In September, Japan signed and exchanged notes for grant aid for food aid in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).
Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Francophonie and Central Africans Abroad Sylvie BaÏpo-Temon attended the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in Tokyo in August, where she attended a working lunch with African female ministers hosted by Foreign Minister Kamikawa and held a foreign ministers' meeting with her. In December, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs MATSUMOTO Hisashi attended the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum held in Côte d'Ivoire and met with Minister in charge of Trade and Industry Thierry Patrick Akoloza.
TICAD Ministerial Meeting Female Ministers Working Lunch (August 23, Tokyo)
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Matsumoto speaking at the 3rd Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum (December 16, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)