VOL.206 AUGUST 2025
THE APPEAL OF YOSHOKU: JAPANESE-STYLE WESTERN CUISINE (PART 1)
[POLICY RELATED NEWS] TICAD 9 in Yokohama August 20–22
TICAD 8 held in Tunis, Tunisia, in 2022
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), an international summit meeting held to discuss African development, highlights “ownership” by African countries and “partnership” on the part of the international community. The ninth conference of TICAD will be held August 20–22, 2025, in Yokohama. This article previews the 2025 conference with a history of TICAD and introduction to Japanese initiatives for development in Africa.
TICAD Overview and History
Initiated by Japan in 1993, TICAD helped to revive the international community’s interest in Africa in the post-Cold War era. Initially held every five years, from TICAD VI on, it has been held every three years, providing a forum for lively discussions on themes addressing international trends and development needs on the African continent. Organized by international and regional organizations, such as the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission (AUC), participation in these conferences includes not only African countries, but many international organizations, the private sector, and civil society, as well, bringing together a wide range of knowledge to promote development in Africa. For Japan, strengthening relations with African countries helps create a stronger diplomatic infrastructure for Japan, as Africa’s abundant natural resources and population of over 1.4 billion people, with the younger generation continuing to grow, represent significant business opportunities. At the same time, as a member of the international community, Japan has been seeking solutions to global issues such as poverty, conflict, terrorism, and natural disasters that countries in Africa face.
TICAD History
TICAD 9 Discussion Themes
Under the banner of “Co-create innovative solutions,” the discussions held over the three days of TICAD 9, August 20-22, 2025, will focus on issues facing Africa and the international community. These will be divided into three themes: Society, Peace and Stability, and Economy. The discussions will promote and strengthen public-private partnerships in order to achieve prosperity for both Japan and Africa by making the most of the abundant resources and large populations of young people on the African continent and the innovation (technologies and expertise) of Japanese companies. The conference will also include booths with panel exhibits showcasing examples of problem-solving by Japanese companies. In fact, initiatives by Japanese companies utilizing AI, drones, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies are expected to be a significant support for spontaneous development in Africa.
Japanese corporate booths (left) at the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held in 2024
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
System developed by a Japanese company utilizes AI and drone technology to detect and treat areas of still water where mosquito larva live (right)
Photo: JICA
Initiatives to Nurture Young Leaders for the Next Generation
Youth populations in African countries have surged in recent years. TICAD is focused on nurturing and developing the capabilities of the young people who drive Africa’s development, with many related events planned for TICAD 9. One of these, Youth TICAD 2025, is a flagship youth engagement program initiated with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), UNDP, and United Nations Volunteers (UNV). Some 400 young people from Japan and Africa will gather for youth-led TICAD discussions on shaping their own future under the theme “Youth Agenda 2055: The Future We Want.” In addition to workshops and presentations, a number of other events are also planned in Yokohama for the August 18–20 lead up to TICAD 9, including an event encouraging cultural exchange through music and dance on the final day. Much is expected from the energy that young people will bring to development in Africa and the international community.
1st Model African Union General Assembly, a youth-led TICAD Ministerial Meeting thematic event held on August 23, 2024
Photo: UNDP
Photo: UNDP