Foreign Minister Motegi would like to visit four African countries, including Tunisia and Mauritius, next week and call for cooperation toward the realization of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" with China in mind, which is becoming more influential in Africa.

Foreign Minister Motegi announced at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting that he would visit four countries next week: Tunisia, Mozambique, South Africa, and Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.



Of these, regarding Mauritius, where a heavy oil spill accident occurred on a Japanese cargo ship, the medium- to long-term was based on the fact that in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Jagnet in September, he expressed his intention to provide unprecedented scale of support. It is expected that opinions will be exchanged on the ideal form of support.



In Tunisia, where the TICAD = Tokyo International Conference on African Development, which will be led by Japan to discuss the development and support of Africa, will be held again next year, it is expected to confirm cooperation for the success of the conference.



In Africa, China is strengthening its influence through large-scale infrastructure investment, and Minister Motegi will strengthen bilateral relations with Japan through this visit to Africa and "free and open Indo-Pacific." I would like to call for cooperation toward the realization of.