Africa

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will visit Tunisia, Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius through next Monday.
10 December 2020
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks at a meeting in Tokyo in October.
International relations

Japan sends top diplomat on Africa trip to offset China tilt

Motegi seeks support for 'free and open Indo-Pacific' in Belt and Road hot spot

7 December 2020
The Japanese-owned bulk carrier Wakashio seen in Mauritius after its oil spill in August. (Photo courtesy of the International Maritime Organization)
Indo-Pacific

Japan's foreign minister heads to East Africa in Indo-Pacific push

Motegi will visit Mozambique, South Africa, Mauritius and TICAD host Tunisia

5 December 2020
Last year, Toyota Tsusho started commercial operation of a wind power plant on Egypt's Red Sea coast. (Photo courtesy of Toyota Tsusho)
Energy

Cairo hires Toyota Tsusho to upgrade blackout-prone power grid

$96m project will replace old equipment with Hitachi ABB smart meters

5 December 2020
A woman counts cash as her shop opens in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Economy

Out of RCEP, India seeks an export passage to Africa

New Delhi shuns Chinese imports as it focuses on domestic growth

3 December 2020
A U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber stops for refueling at the U.S. military base on Diego Garcia in 2001.
Interview

Mauritius makes play for future with US base on Diego Garcia

With 99-year lease offer, archipelagic nation bypasses UK in bid to deal with Biden

18 November 2020
Zambia, heavily reliant on copper exports, has racked up debt with China by pursuing infrastructure projects. 
International relations

African nations stare at defaults as debt to China swells

Zambia accused of putting Beijing first in deferment talks with creditors

3 November 2020
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Switzerland in January. (Photo courtesy of the World Economic Forum)
Trade

US blocks African candidate for WTO chief with eye on China

American support for South Korean minister poses headache for Japan

29 October 2020
The wreckage of the bulk carrier Wakashio in waters off Mauritius. (Mauritius government via Kyodo)
Environment

Japan to offer Mauritius economic support after oil spill

Tokyo ready to contribute to cleanup and recovery despite lack of legal liability

16 October 2020
Kenya's long-distance rail link is one of many infrastructure projects financed by China's Belt and Road initiative.
International relations

China's 'secret loans' throw wrench into G-20 debt relief plans

Concerns mount that debtor nations will use money to pay back Beijing lenders

16 October 2020
Mist shrouds the Simandou mountains in Guinea, a region that holds untapped reserves of iron ore.
Caixin

China's opportunities and risks in Africa's giant iron ore field

Guinea region holds world's largest untapped reserves but lacks infrastructure

26 August 2020
A cleanup crew works at the site of an oil spill at Riviere des Creoles, Mauritius, on Aug. 8: as long as ships are powered by oil, there will be spills.
Opinion

Japan must use Mauritius oil spill to wean ships off fossil fuels

Japan owns ships worth a collective $92 billion and hosts over 1,000 shipyards

25 August 2020
A satellite photo taken on Aug. 7 shows the cargo ship Wakashio stranded off the coast of Mauritius.
Environment

In Wakashio's wake: Tracking the damage from Mauritius oil spill

Leakage from Japanese freighter threatens protected wetlands and rare corals

21 August 2020
Bulk carrier ship MV Wakashio can be seen from the coast of Mauritius on Aug. 16. The grounded Japanese ship has split apart, with fuel spreading into the turquoise waters. 
Environment

Captain of Japanese ship arrested over Mauritius oil spill

Mangrove forests unlikely to recover fully for decades

19 August 2020
A tobacco farmer checks his mobile phone at a market in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Huawei crackdown

Huawei's deep roots put Africa beyond reach of US crackdown

Chinese telecom gear features in 5G networks in South Africa and Uganda

15 August 2020
A drone image shows the oil spillage near the area where the bulk carrier ship MV Wakashio ran aground on a reef, at Riviere des Creoles, Mauritius.
Environment

Environmental toll from Mauritius oil spill to last decades

Japanese ship owner to pay for damages suffered by tourism-reliant nation

15 August 2020
About 1,000 tons of fuel oil have leaked from the Wakashio since it ran aground on a reef off the coast of Mauritius in this photo handed out by the French army.
Environment

Half of oil from Mauritius spill recovered: ship owner

Volunteers help clear 1,000 tons of leaked fuel in Indian Ocean

11 August 2020
This photo taken and provided by Georges de La Tremoille of Mu Press shows oil leaking from the MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeastern coast of Mauritius.
Environment

Mitsui O.S.K. probes massive oil spill off Mauritius

Island nation's biodiversity and all-important tourism sector threatened

10 August 2020
Restaurants that cater to Guangzhou's African residents have closed but appear to be waiting for their customers to come back.
Coronavirus

China's 'Little Africa' shrinks 70% as coronavirus leaves its mark

Many foreign residents who fled Guangzhou are being prevented from returning

24 July 2020
Eight candidates are running to fill the top job at the World Trade Organization.
Interview

Good listener or strong negotiator? WTO candidates make case for top job

Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala and Mexico's Seade have different prescriptions for US-China rift

13 July 2020
Kansai Paint will reduce its presence in Africa and the Middle East. (Photo courtesy of Kansai Paint)
Companies

Japan's Kansai Paint pivots from Africa to India as sales slow

Economic pressures drive coating maker to recalibrate strategy

11 July 2020
Stream article image
International relations

WTO leadership race emerges as newest arena for US-China rivalry

African and Mexican candidates in spotlight as trade group looks for consensus

10 July 2020
An illustrated image of the LNG project in Mozambique in which Mitsui & Co. and other partners will invest $14 billion.  (Photo: courtesy of Anadarko Petroleum)
Energy

Japan Inc. to invest $14bn in LNG development in Africa

Government and businesses team up for Mozambique project

2 July 2020
A Tesla showroom in Shanghai in May: The electric-car brand is changing what powers its made-in-China cars.
Electric cars in China

Tesla wins green light in China to use cobalt-free batteries

Shift to new technology cuts costs and improves supply stability

12 June 2020
Daikin aims to tap the African market by offering a subscription service for its air conditioners.
Companies

In Africa, Daikin offers cool-air hailing for $1.20 a day

Smartphone app unlocks air conditioners at hair salons and restaurants

5 June 2020