Japan’s PM Ishiba to Propose Indian Ocean-Africa Logistics Network, Demining Initiative at August TICAD 9 in Yokohama

Japan is set to propose the development of a logistics network spanning the Indian Ocean to Africa at the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), scheduled for August 20-22 in Yokohama. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is expected to announce this initiative aimed at connecting African countries to Asia to establish stable supply chains for critical resources such as copper. The plan also includes support for linking India, the Middle East, and Africa to enhance trade and resource flows. Additionally, Japan intends to introduce a new demining initiative in Africa during the conference. The proposal responds to disruptions caused by reliance on traditional routes like the Suez Canal, emphasizing the need for new connectivity structures to unlock economic potential between Africa and Asia. The initiative aligns with Japan’s broader goal of encouraging Japanese firms to expand their presence in Africa under this new framework.