Japan, China, S Korea to hold first meeting on Africa policy

Tuesday 09th December, 11:47 PM JST

TOKYO —

Japan, China and South Korea will hold their first trilateral senior working level meeting in Tokyo on Friday to discuss respective foreign policies toward Africa, such as financial assistance and economic relations, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kazuo Kodama said Tuesday.

It is believed that Japan, which is facing growing competition from China and South Korea in maintaining influence in Africa through the provision of aid and investment, hopes the meeting will help promote dialogue and coordination among the three countries.

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4 Comments

OssanAmerica at 01:33 AM JST - 11th December

It is believed that Japan, which is facing growing competition from >China and South Korea in maintaining influence in Africa through the >provision of aid and investment"

That competition is going to ease. Dramatically. China's growth has stopped as it's export driven market has crashed into the wall of recession that all her customers are suffering. They've even stopped importing raw matrials like iron ore. In other words, China won't need Africa as much for a while. SKorea has taken an even bigger hit with the Won and it's economy is worse off than Japan. But Japan too is going to get hit hard comes New Years. Unfortunately the poor nations of Africa aren't going to be able to benefit from strong Asian economies. Or European. Or American for that matter.
mushroomcloud at 02:03 AM JST - 11th December

"It is believed that Japan, which is facing growing competition from China and South Korea in maintaining influence in Africa through the provision of aid and investment, hopes the meeting will help promote dialogue and coordination among the three countries."

Correction. Over the past ~5 years, China has had the domineering influence over Africa, and Japan's presence has recently been small in comparison. China has won the influence round with Africa, and Japan is not considered their competition anymore.

And I quote: "Tokyo was, until the 1990s, Africa's dominant economic partner, and remains a key player in the region. However, since then other Asian economies have more effectively and more deeply engaged with the continent -- in particular China, but also India, Malaysia and other smaller players."

http://www.oxan.com/worldnextweek/2008-05-22/Africa.aspx
jaotsu at 03:13 AM JST - 11th December

China may have influence now, but it will likely end up being back in S.Korea and Japan. The reason is that China is considered an untrustworthy country to deal with. Mainly due to its bullying of nearby countries, counterfeit products, melanine poisoning, etc. African nations may temporarily be swayed by money but in the long run, just like the other countries that China has dealt with, it won't be long before the truth comes out.
OssanAmerica at 06:09 AM JST - 11th December

China will now lose it's influence in Africa for the very simple reason that they don't need the raw materials in the way they did during the last 10 years. Who has the most inflence now or 10 years ago is all pretty irrevelant considering what is happening to the economies of all these nations today.