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Tokyo conference on African development |
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The Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development [TICAD IV] which opened on May 28 with leaders from 40 of the 53 countries in Africa participating, is being seen as a great step forward in enhancing co-dependent relations between Japan and African countries that are rich in natural resources. The conference in Yokohama discussed assistance measures for the continent. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said in his address at the conference that the 21st century is “the century of African growth” and that “Japan wants to walk alongside the African people, shoulder to shoulder”. In concrete terms, Fukuda promised to double Japan’s official development assistance and corporate investment for Africa in the next five years. At the end of the conference, a Yokohama Action Plan and a Yokohama Declaration were issued that promise Japan’s priority on its relations with Africa. Japan announced that it would double rice production in Africa in addition to emergency food aid. Japan can help the African States increase rice production with the use of a new variety of rice that has a high yield and is more resistant to drought. This will contribute to mid and long-term development of agriculture in those countries. Japan also promised to provide financial assistance for the promotion of counter-measures against global warming which are said to be needed even in African countries.
African countries have seen an average 5 per cent annual economic growth in recent years and have rich reserves of rare metals that are necessary for making high-tech equipment. But, infrastructure, including roads and ports, is still underdeveloped Improvement of infrastructure with Japanese assistance will increase investment from abroad and accelerate economic growth in a virtuous cycle.
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