What is happening?
From August 20 to 22, Japan hosted the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama. This event, which was launched in 1993, has become a key platform for Japan’s diplomacy in Africa. While the first conferences took place in Tokyo, recent editions have rotated every three years between Yokohama and African cities. This year, Japan’s leaders met with representatives from 49 African nations to discuss peace and stability, as well as economic and social development. However, TICAD is not only a tool to strengthen Japan’s ties with African partners but also to counter China’s and Russia’s influence on the continent and beyond.
What is the broader picture?
During the 1960s, when many African countries gained independence, Japan had no systematic strategy toward them and aid to the region remained minimal. The first shift came with the 1973 oil shock, which positioned Africa as one of Japan’s oil supply sources. A major turning point came in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when there was a widespread sense of aid fatigue among Western donors. The Japanese economy was at its peak, and Tokyo sought to use it to shift from “passive diplomacy” to “proactive diplomacy” by promoting a new concept for African development. The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations (UN) in New York also believed that the best way to secure Japan’s election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council was to collect votes from African countries, and — with this in mind — the first TICAD was organized.
Around 2008, Tokyo recognized that the rapid growth of African economies, combined with abundant natural resources and large populations, held great promise for the Japanese economy. As Japan’s diplomacy with Africa became even more strategic under the second administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from 2012, TICAD was subsequently recognized as the “cornerstone” of the new approach. In 2016, Abe announced the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Initiative (FOIP), aimed at connecting Indo-Pacific and East African nations based on shared principles such as a rules-based maritime order, indirectly mindful of China’s growing assertiveness in the East and South China Seas.
However, since the early 2000s, China has become increasingly influential in Africa, rapidly expanding its presence, incorporating the continent into its Belt and Road Initiative and adopting the Vision 2035 initiative to guide long-term cooperation across all areas. Chinese investment rose from just US$75 million in 2003 to US$5.4 billion in 2018, making China one of Africa’s largest investors, particularly in construction, mining, and manufacturing. Companies like Huawei play a central role in building digital infrastructure and smart cities, despite raising concerns about dependence and data security.
Russia is also influential in Africa, as reflected in the voting behavior at the UN following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when roughly half of the 54 African countries did not condemn Moscow. Historical ties, military and political cooperation, Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, or a combination of these factors have all played a role here. Based on this, Japan has started to fear that Africa’s reluctance to condemn Russia might embolden China’s coercive actions in Asia. Therefore, ahead of TICAD8 in 2022, Tokyo pushed for the Tunis Declaration to include criticism of Russia and a rejection of attempts to change the status quo by force. However, the African Union Commission preferred to avoid any mention of Ukraine.
Why does it matter?
This year’s TICAD9 concluded with the adoption of the joint Yokohama Declaration. The document calls for strengthening agricultural systems to secure food supplies, advancing safe and reliable artificial intelligence, and responsibly developing critical minerals to ensure stable supply. It also emphasizes expanding youth exchanges, supporting startups, and nurturing human resources. The declaration further highlights the enhancement of connectivity between Africa and other regions, investing in transport and logistics, improving healthcare and pandemic prevention, and bolstering disaster forecasting and preparedness. Japan pledged to support peace and stability on the continent, stressing that good governance, democracy, and the rule of law are essential for Africa’s sustainable development. Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that by tackling Africa’s challenges together, Japan will benefit from the continent’s growth and prosperity, creating a win-win relationship for both sides. And since African countries account for more than a quarter of UN members, their voices are also crucial for maintaining the type of free and open, rules-based international order that has long been a concern for Japan.