Herald: We would like your Excellency to reflect on the meaning of your visit to Africa and Ethiopia on this occasion.
Taro Kono: In August 2019, Japan is planning to hold the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7). The important themes of TICAD7 include business promotion and innovation, resilient and sustainable society, as well as peace and stability. On my visit to Africa this time, I would like to promote cooperation with African countries toward the success of TICAD7.
Ethiopia is a country that has long enjoyed exchanges with Japan. His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and Her Majesty the Empress Emerita, who abdicated last month, visited Ethiopia in 1960, when they were Crown Prince and Crown Princess. This is my second visit following last one in August 2017, and I am pleased to set foot on Ethiopian soil again.
Ever since the inauguration of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy, various epoch-making developments have been made both in and around Ethiopia. On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Abiy is leading the efforts towards peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region, including the reconciliation with Eritrea and resuming diplomatic relations. Positive changes are also witnessed inside the country. Ethnic harmony as well as reforms in various areas are being promoted in Ethiopia under freedom and democracy.
Japan holds in high regard Prime Minister Abiy’s efforts in diplomatic and domestic affairs. During my visit to Ethiopia, I would like to exchange views on how Japan can support these initiatives by the Government of Ethiopia.
Herald: As Your Excellency is much aware that the security situation in the Horn of Africa including Ethiopia is significantly improving after His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Abiy came to power, and Japan is also known for supporting peace-building efforts in the region. Can you reflect on these issues? What do we expect from this visit in terms of supporting peace and stability in the region?
Taro Kono: Japan has been supporting peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and its surrounding regions through (1) dispatching personnel to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), (2) promoting the peace process in South Sudan and (3) supporting counter-terrorism measures in Somalia through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), (4) dispatching instructors to the Peacekeeping Training Centers in Kenya and Ethiopia, (5) conducting anti-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, and more.
Japan, which places importance on the peace and stability of the Horn of Africa and surrounding regions, highly regards the initiatives of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy who has reestablished diplomatic relations with Eritrea and taken leadership for regional peace and stability.
Last year, when Ethiopia and Eritrea reestablished diplomatic relations, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan was signed. Based on such developments, Japan believes that now is the time for Africa itself to move forward its own conflict resolutions. This year, Japan provided 1 million USD as the first donor country to the committee composed of the Government of South Sudan and opposition groups. Also, we, invited Minister of Foreign Affairs Osman of Eritrea to Japan, and discussed peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.
At TICAD7 to be held in Japan this August, an important theme to be taken up is such efforts for peace by Africa itself. Japan will continue to extend support to the efforts towards peace-building in Africa in an active manner, particularly in national institution-building. On my visit this time, I will directly extend an invitation to TICAD7 from Prime Minister Abe to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy, and will invite him to lead discussions regarding peace and stability in Africa, together with Japan.
Herald: The Nairobi Declaration of TICAD 6 recognizes the importance of private investment as a vital engine of economic and social development on the continent. However, the reality on the ground shows that private investment from Japanese companies to Ethiopia as well as other African countries lags behind, compared to some other countries. Your Excellency, can you tell us what your government has planned to improve Japanese private investment to Ethiopia as well as other African countries so far, and what are the future prospects in this regard? And also if you could tip us on the promises of the upcoming TICAD 7?
Taro Kono: The potential of Africa is drawing attention in Japan because of its population growth, natural resources, and high economic growth, and there is rapidly growing interest regarding Africa for investment and business aspects. Amidst this, against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s abundant labor force, and low electricity costs, the country is garnering attention from Japanese companies as a manufacturing base.
In the TICAD process in recent years, great expectations have been expressed by both Japan and Africa regarding the promotion of Japan-Africa business relations. Taking into account such a situation, the Government of Japan is examining ways to establish a platform for enhancing Japan’s public-private cooperation with the goal of promoting trade and investment with Africa.
At TICAD7 as well, we are considering dedicating one of the plenary sessions to a public-private business dialogue, in order to hold a direct discussion between Japanese companies and African summit leaders regarding requests and views concerning the improvement of the business environment, investment policies, and more. Other many business-related side events are also being envisaged.
In this way, the Government of Japan is ready to encourage Japanese companies advancing to Africa through the TICAD process. Meanwhile, there still exists issues which restrict business promotion in Africa such as lack of transparency in administrative procedures, regulations on foreign investment such as demands for local content and foreign currency remittance regulations, as well as problems of corruption and counterfeit products. Furthermore, lack of basic infrastructure for accepting large-scale private investment needs to be dealt with.
In order to encourage investment by Japanese companies, resolving such issues is crucial. Japan will utilize tools such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and provide support that are unique to Japan for African initiatives. In Ethiopia, Japan is providing assistance for improving productivity, key to the development of manufacturing. The Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI), a center established to share Japanese “kaizen (continuous improvement) spirit” with the people of Ethiopia, is one example of such assistance.
The Ethiopian Herald May 04/ 2011
