What does Japan see in Zimbabwe?

“Second, Japan is strongly positioned to re-establish trade linkages with Zimbabwe, as it did not follow the West in imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe for Mugabe’s forcible land seizures in 2000. Those sanctions isolated Mugabe diplomatically and economically from the West, forcing Zimbabwe to adopt an Asia-Pacific centered “Look East” foreign policy targeting Chinese foreign investment.

 “Third, increased Japanese development assistance could allow Tokyo to challenge China’s dominance over the process of rebuilding Zimbabwe’s economy. China has invested extensively in improving the efficiency of Zimbabwean agriculture to alleviate food shortages. In response to China’s efforts, Abe has announced two major aid pledges to Zimbabwe over the past year. These aid donations strive to increase food production in areas surrounding the north-south corridor infrastructure projects. Through expanded development assistance, Japan can revive the trust and camaraderie that characterized Tokyo’s investments in Zimbabwe during the 1980s, and prove its reliability as an investment provider to other Sub-Saharan African states seeking foreign capital.”

It also says deepening ties between Japan and Zimbabwe could also impact security in the Korean peninsula, as Zimbabwe has historically been one of North Korea’s closest international allies.

“Japan’s diplomatic overtures toward Zimbabwe occur at a time when North Korea’s long-standing African alliances are being challenged by South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s recent sub-Saharan African tour and offers of investment. The defection of Uganda from Pyongyang’s security umbrella after Park’s visit demonstrated to Japanese policymakers that sustained diplomatic outreach can convince even North Korea’s strongest allies to comply with international sanctions.

“Japan’s outreach to Zimbabwe has already made some progress in rupturing the Harare-Pyongyang alliance. While Mugabe’s March 29 statement on Zimbabwe-North Korea relations did not rule out re-establishing diplomatic ties with Kim Jong-un’s regime, the Zimbabwean president admitted that his country had “lost connection with North Korea”……

“Abe’s diplomatic outreach to Zimbabwe is a vital component of Tokyo’s alliance-building strategy in Africa. It is also closely intertwined with Japan’s desire to contain China and North Korea…”

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