First Meeting of the Study Group on Strengthening Japan-Africa Economic Partnership
At TICAD 9 held last August, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru (石破 茂), then Prime Minister of Japan, announced the establishment of the “Study Group on Strengthening Japan–Africa Economic Partnership” as one of the concrete initiatives of the Japanese Government’s policy on Africa. The first meeting of this study group is scheduled for June 18 in a hybrid format.
Under the framework of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)”, this study group will address African economic integration, a top priority for the African Union (AU). Through strengthening economic cooperation between Japan and Africa, the study group aims to support business expansion of Japanese companies in the African market. To this end, the study group will discuss various topics including measures to promote regional economic integration in Africa, review of trade and investment between Japan and Africa, and the strengthening of economic relations between Japan and Africa. The study group will prepare a report by the end of the fiscal year 2027, which will be submitted to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
(Reference 1) Japanese Members
Prof. WATANABE Yorizumi (渡邊 頼純), Professor Emeritus, Keio University; Dr. KIMURA Fukunari (木村 福成), President, JETRO Asian Economic Research Institute; Mr. FUJITA Ryoji (藤田 亮二), Executive Officer, Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Representative from Keidanren); WATANABE Tatsuro (渡邉 達郎), Managing Executive Officer, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (Representative from Keizai Doyukai); IGARASHI Katsuya (五十嵐 克也), Director and Head of International Department, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
(Reference 2) African Members
Mr. Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO, Smart Africa Alliance; Mr. Kulekani Mathe, CEO, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA); Dr. E. Olawale Ogunkola, Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and the African Union Commission (AUC).
(Note) In addition, relevant Ministries, agencies, and individuals with expertise are expected to attend depending on the agenda.
(Reference 3) Attachment
Establishment of the Study Group on Strengthening Japan-Africa Economic Partnership [Archived PDF]
G7 Evian Summit
Working Session on “Reviving a Balanced, Shared and Sustainable Economic Growth”
On June 17, commencing at 10:30 a.m. (local time. 5:30 p.m. on June 17, Japan time.) for approximately 120 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae (高市 早苗), Prime Minister of Japan, attended the G7 Evian Summit Working Session on “Reviving balanced, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all”. The overview of the session is as follows.
- Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that the G7 and like-minded countries should maintain close communication to reduce uncertainty in the global economy.
Prime Minister TAKAICHI also stated that it is a common challenge for many countries to promote self-sustaining growth, by addressing non-market policies and practices (NMPPs) and the resulting excess capacity which are drivers of widening global imbalances. - Furthermore, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that G7 members and the countries participating in this session should also demonstrate their contribution to reducing imbalances for their own balanced growth as well as for the stability of the global economy and financial markets. Prime Minister TAKAICHI added that making use of data-driven, objective analyses and policy advice by the IMF and the OECD is extremely beneficial in advancing these efforts.
- Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her hope that the G7 and like-minded countries would lead the global economy through frank discussions. She also stated that she looked forward to discussions at the G20, chaired by President Donald Trump of the United States, on reducing uncertainty in the global economy and becoming stronger and more prosperous together.
Situation in Iran (Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran)
(Message from Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu [茂木 敏充])
On June 18 (Japan Standard Time), the United States and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding and the cessation of hostilities was declared. Japan once again welcomes the fruition of the diplomatic efforts made by the parties as well as the countries that played a role in mediation.
Hereafter, it is important that free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is swiftly reestablished through the steady implementation of this MoU by all parties. Japan also considers it of critical importance that vessels be able to transit the Strait of Hormuz without being subject to additional costs, as has been the case thus far.
Japan strongly hopes that a final agreement on matters such as Iran’s nuclear issue will be achieved as soon as possible through further negotiations between the United States and Iran. Japan will also support the peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue including through coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
After the conclusion of a final agreement, Japan intends to play an active role in the reconstruction and recovery of the region. Japan will also continue to make every diplomatic effort, in close coordination with the international community, toward the realization of peace and stability throughout the Middle East region.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ERI’s Visit to the United States
From June 21 to June 24, Ms. ERI Arfiya (英利 アルフィヤ), Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, will visit New York, United States.
During her visit, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI will attend the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS and deliver a statement in the meeting. She will also hold meetings with representatives of international organizations.
(Reference) Schedule
| June 21 | Departure from Tokyo |
| Arrival at New York | |
| June 22 | Participation in the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, etc. |
| June 23 | Meetings with representatives of international organizations, etc. |
| Departure from New York | |
| June 24 | Arrival at Tokyo |
The 7th Japan-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue
On June 18, the 7th Japan–Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue was held in Tokyo, Japan.
- This whole-of-government meeting was co-chaired by Mr. MIYAKE Fumito (三宅 史人), Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy and Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan, and Ms. Jessica Hunter, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, with the participation of officials from, on the Japanese side, MOFA, National Cybersecurity Office (NCO), National Police Agency (NPA), Ministry of Defense (MOD), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and on the Australian side, DFAT, Department of Industry and Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
- At this dialogue, following the enactment of Japan’s Cyber Response Capability Strengthening Act and Necessary Arrangement of Relevant Acts last year, as well as the adoption of its new Cybersecurity Strategy, the two sides exchanged views on broad range of topics, such as each country’s respective cybersecurity strategy and policy, and cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.
- Furthermore, building on the “Japan–Australia Strategic Cyber Partnership” which Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae (高市 早苗), Prime Minister of Japan and the Hon. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia concurred on launching at the Japan–Australia Summit Meeting in May of this year, the two sides exchanged views on efforts and cooperation in a wide range of areas including the defense and deterrence of cyber threats, capacity-building, public-private partnerships, and artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
- Both sides confirmed that they will continue to work closely together in the field of cyber, including through the Japan–Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue.
[from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 18-19 June, 2026]