Japan Works to Reset Relationship with Africa

The South African Institute of International Affairs published on 26 August 2016 an analysis titled "From First-mover Advantage to Coming from Behind: A New Phase of the Japan-Africa Partnership" by Elizabeth Sidiropoulos and Neuma Grobbelaar.

Keyed to the August TICAD meeting in Kenya, the authors suggest that Japan has fallen well behind China in its ties with Africa but is now trying to reposition itself on the continent, including seeking support for membership on the UN Security Council. In 2015, Japan's trade with Africa totaled $20 billion compared to $180 billion with China. While Japan's investment in Africa grew from $1.7 billion in 2005 to $10.5 billion in 2014, trade remained flat.