Resurgence in Africa

Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, raised his voice at a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for appealing Japan’s effort not to support Africa but to invest for its future. He intended to highlight the contrast between Japan and China in development in Africa, in which China has been criticized to be too greedy. However, Japan’s effort is still depending on governmental assistances, with the reluctance of private sectors in investment to Africa.

In his policy speech in the headquarters of African Union on Tuesday, Abe elaborated that Africa is a frontier for Japan, focusing on rich natural resources in the continent. He revealed a plan for raising total amount of Japanese Yen loan from $1.6 billion to $2 billion by the end of 2016, and for $320 million support for relief of conflicts and natural disasters. The key concept was integrated effort by the government and private sectors.

His attitude in the visit of African countries looked like disseminating money. To Ivory Coast, Abe offered $8 million support for soldiers’ return to society, independence of women and reinforcement of police. Then followed $700 million of overseas development assistance in northern Mozambique and $12 million for support of refugees in Ethiopia from Somalia or South Sudan. Yomiuri Shimbun reported that a newspaper in Mozambique applauded Abe’s visit as “historical,” which might have tickled Abe’s ribs.

The delegation brought about thirty representatives of Japanese corporations and colleges. They have been interested in building infrastructures for electric supplies and transportation, developing major gas wells and cooperation in geothermal generation. Accepting students from African countries was also an effort to build up African economy. “We can create real win-win relationship with Africa by Japanese corporation that evaluate individual dignity,” told Abe. “Win-win” is one of the favorite diplomatic terms Chinese leaders like to use.

However, the fact is that Chinese corporations have been overwhelming in numbers in Africa. Even how Japanese leaders criticize China’s exploitation, African economy is heavily dependent on China. Business efforts of the Japanese were interrupted by bad security, corruption of government or unprofitability. It is still unclear why Japanese government is so active in helping Africa. If Abe wants to overtake China in African business, it is just a dream. If it is for Africa, cooperation with China is more helpful. If it is for seeking favorable votes to Japan in the United Nations, China should be the bigger target than Africa to achieve Japan’s goal.