Japan backs African development

Yoshiro Mori was the guest of Thabo Mbeki

By Allan Little in Johannesburg

Japan's Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori, on a three-nation visit to Africa, has promised greater Japanese involvement in the continent.

I want to reiterate Japan's unwavering commitment to Africa, a land that holds the key to the future of humanity

Yoshiro Mori

Mr Mori told a luncheon in Johannesburg hosted by South Africa's President, Thabo Mbeki, that there could be no stability and prosperity in the world in the 21st Century unless the problems of Africa were resolved.

Japan would support African initiatives for development by creating a forum where Africans themselves could discuss and initiate development strategies rather than taking ownership of development projects designed in the developed world, Mr Mori said.

"I want to reiterate Japan's unwavering commitment to Africa, a land that holds the key to the future of humanity," he said.

He added that a series of ministerial meetings would be held in December this year as a first step towards creating a Tokyo international conference on African development.

Potential partner

Mr Mori is the first serving Japanese prime minister to visit sub-Saharan Africa.

His involvement will be welcomed by the ruling ANC in South Africa, who see in Japan a potential development partner that carries none of the baggage of the former colonial powers.

Mr Mori's itinerary takes him next to Kenya and Nigeria.