Overview

• TICAD9 in Yokohama adopted the Yokohama Declaration stressing a co‑creation partnership model and support for the AfCFTA to boost continental competitiveness.
• Japan unveiled the Indo‑Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative, a plan to train about 300,000 people, and coordination of up to $5.5 billion in financing with the African Development Bank.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held marathon one‑on‑one meetings with 34 leaders and international heads, saying the talks clarified country needs and pathways to strengthen ties.
• Tokyo and Nairobi agreed on a yen‑loan package of roughly ¥25 billion to bolster Kenya’s automobile industry and related projects benefiting Japanese firms operating locally.
• On August 23, Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae‑myung agreed to strengthen strategic communications, pursue closer defense and bureaucratic dialogue, expand the working‑holiday scheme to two stays totaling up to two years, and coordinate closely on North Korea including with the United States.