Japan and Kenya Deepen Strategic Partnership in Yokohama

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto held a summit meeting on Wednesday morning, August 20, 2025, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across a broad spectrum of fields. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), currently underway in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

At the outset, Mr Ishiba welcomed President Ruto’s second visit to Japan in as many years, describing Kenya as a “like-minded partner” that shares Japan’s vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. He stressed Tokyo’s intention to deepen ties with Nairobi, particularly in the realms of trade, investment, and regional stability. President Ruto, in turn, praised Japan’s longstanding leadership through TICAD, highlighting its role in advancing Africa’s development agenda. He expressed his desire to consolidate the growing partnership between the two countries, underlining the importance of regular high-level exchanges and collaboration on the international stage.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in the talks. Prime Minister Ishiba outlined Japan’s commitment to support Kenya under the Indian Ocean–Africa Economic Zone Initiative, noting in particular the decision to provide grant aid for the expansion of Mombasa Port – a critical gateway for East Africa. He also welcomed progress in fostering Kenya’s manufacturing sector, including skills development in the automotive industry, and drew attention to the signing of a term sheet for a yen-denominated loan, supported by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI).

President Ruto expressed his appreciation for Japan’s tangible contributions, adding that Nairobi is keen to encourage greater Japanese investment and to strengthen bilateral trade ties. He signalled Kenya’s readiness to work in tandem with Tokyo to ensure that such initiatives bear fruit in the years ahead. The two leaders also exchanged views on pressing international challenges. Both reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on African regional issues and reiterated their shared support for reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Beyond the bilateral summit, Prime Minister Ishiba took part in several key sessions at TICAD 9. He addressed the forum on the Economic Region of the Indian Ocean and Africa, before meeting with senior African leaders, including African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Later in the day, he delivered remarks at the session on “Building Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems and Local Economies in Africa anchored in the Blue Economy and Agriculture”.

In a packed schedule, Mr Ishiba also held talks with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of Liberia, Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani of Mauritania, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola. The Yokohama gathering marks the latest milestone in Japan’s three-decade engagement with Africa through TICAD, a framework that continues to shape dialogue and development cooperation between Tokyo and the African continent.