Japan To Give $1 Billion to Africa, Including Funding for AIDS

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday at the opening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development pledged $1 billion in new aid for education and health care in Africa, including funding for antiretroviral drugs, the AP/Detroit News reports (McAvoy, AP/Detroit News, 9/29). The money would be disbursed over the next five years, Koizumi said, according to Reuters. In addition, he said that Japan would cancel $3 billion in debts owed by African nations and would spend up to $300 million promoting Japanese investment in Africa through overseas investment loans and other measures (Reuters, 9/29). During the three-day conference, the leaders of 23 African nations as well as representatives of leading donor nations and aid groups are expected to discuss infectious diseases, conflict prevention and foreign investment. Japan is the world's biggest donor to Africa and has provided $12 billion in assistance to the continent since the first Tokyo International Conference on African Development 10 years ago, Koizumi said (AP/Detroit News, 9/29).