Japan promotes diplomacy with the Southern Hemisphere

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa is on a three-day visit to Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, France, Sri Lanka and Nepal. This is the first long-term visit by a Japanese foreign minister to sub-Saharan African countries and two Southwest Asian countries, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. Photo: Kyodo/VNA

Taking place from April 26 to May 5, the trip aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties to lay the groundwork for a ministerial meeting on African development that Japan will host in Tokyo in August.

During this visit, Japan will build strategic trust with African and Southwest Asian countries to develop together, prosper together, and realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region together. Japan will also convey a strong message about the importance of strengthening cooperation among countries to address global issues, including the realization of the UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

This is also an opportunity for Japan’s foreign policy to act as a bridge between the G7 and the Global South as the only G7 country in Asia. Under Foreign Minister Kamikawa, it is time for Japan to strongly emphasize “feminist diplomacy” and become a bridge country for the divided world.

During the visit, the head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry will travel to Paris (France) to attend the OECD Ministerial Conference; and attend the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Ministerial Conference and the Japan-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue.

HAPPY CHI

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