Japanese delegation to visit Africa amid resource competition

TOKYO, Aug. 25 Kyodo -
A delegation of Japanese government and business representatives will visit
three natural resource-rich African nations starting this weekend in a move to
strengthen ties amid growing global competition for rare metals and other
resources in the continent, according to government officials.
The group, headed by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Osamu Fujimura, will
consist of about 60 members, including Foreign Ministry and Economy, Trade and
Industry Ministry officials and representatives from around a dozen companies,
who will travel to South Africa, Namibia and Angola during their weeklong trip,
they said.
While China, India and other emerging nations have recently increased their
presence in the region, a senior Foreign Ministry official expressed hope that
Japan will be able to show through the latest trip its intention to ''fully
support African countries in their nation-building efforts.''
As for South Africa, which is rich in gold, platinum and rare earths, Japan is
eyeing expanding exports to the country related to the construction of
infrastructure such as nuclear power plants and high-speed railways.
Namibia is rich in uranium and diamonds, while in Angola, a major oil producer,
Japan is planning to support industrial diversification.
Japan's trade with Africa rose to around $34.3 billion in 2008, tripling from
the level in 2003, according to the trade ministry. In May 2008, the government
announced a plan to double private investment in Africa but Japan has not been
able to enhance its presence on the continent.
==Kyodo