Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida is scheduled to visit Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique during Japan’s Golden Week holidays starting late April, ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima in May, the Japanese government have said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, the government’s top spokesman, said at a regular press conference that confirming cooperation with major African countries to tackle global issues is “significant” for Japan, which holds the G-7 presidency for this year.
With the G-7 summit, which will be held in the prime minister’s home constituency, fast approaching, Kishida has expressed his willingness to strengthen ties with the “Global South,” a term that collectively refers to developing nations south of the equator.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, many developing countries, including in Africa, have sought to avoid taking sides.
Matsuno did not elaborate on the itinerary of Kishida’s tour to the continent. The Golden Week period runs into early May.
