On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to extend support to Africa for ensuring food security during discussions with Kenyan President William Ruto. This commitment comes amid a surge in wheat prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting took place in Tokyo, reflecting Japan’s strategic goal of strengthening ties with Kenya, situated along the Indian Ocean, to advance the concept of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” Concurrently, Japan aims to deepen connections with emerging economies in the “Global South.”
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Kishida assured Ruto that Japan would aid Kenya in restoring its financial well-being, strained by loans from China for various projects, including railway construction. The leaders underscored the significance of fostering fair and transparent financial development to address Kenya’s debt challenges, with China facing criticism for employing “debt-trap diplomacy” by leveraging loans for concessions.
Having first met in May 2023 during Kishida’s visit to Nairobi, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts for sustainable financial development and addressing pressing issues in the region.
