Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said last Friday he plans to visit Tunisia, Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius this week to discuss strengthening post-coronavirus business ties.
In Mauritius, Motegi said he wants to convey Tokyo’s intention to help the Indian Ocean island nation recover from the damage its environment and economy suffered following an oil spill from a Japanese freighter in July.
In the four countries, “I want to conduct various discussions on bilateral relations and toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Motegi explained, referring to promoting the rule of law, freedom of navigation, and free trade across the region stretching from Asia to Africa.
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Motegi’s trip will start on Tuesday and will end on Dec. 14, a Foreign Ministry source said.
Tunisia will host the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in 2022, while South Africa is chair of the African Union this year.
Source: The Mainichi via Club of Mozambique
