Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began his first week-long Africa tour in Egypt at the weekend. The four-nation visit is part of a concerted effort to strengthen relations with the "Global South" and counter the growing influence of China and Russia in the region.
The Japanese prime minister regards cooperation with Global South countries as vital for upholding what is called the "rules-based international order." The trip is also a bid to respond to China's expanding military and economic influence in the region.
