Japan Plans to Establish a New Economic Zone Stretching from India to Africa

NHK reported that the Japanese government plans to propose the establishment of a new economic zone stretching from India to Africa when it hosts a conference on African development this month.

The broadcaster confirmed that the Japanese government intends to promote this initiative because it believes the region stretching from India through the Middle East to the African continent has the potential to become a center of economic growth. It hopes to build a free and fair economic zone and enhance interregional connectivity based on the free and open Indo-Pacific region it promotes.

It noted that the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) will be held in Yokohama for three days starting August 20. This triennial meeting, led by Japan, is expected to be the venue for the proposal.

It explained that the government also aims to strengthen relations with countries in the Global South, including African countries, and provide support to Japanese companies in their efforts to expand trade and investment in the proposed zone.