石破茂倡导建立“印度洋-非洲新经济圈”；第9届非洲开发会议开幕

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba proposed the "Indian Ocean-Africa Economic Zone Initiative" aimed at establishing a logistics network connecting Africa and the Indian Ocean, enhancing regional connectivity and creating a free and fair economic zone [2][4]. Group 1: Economic Cooperation and Development - The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) is attended by over 40 African heads of state, with a focus on transitioning from aid to investment in response to Africa's evolving needs [4][8]. - Ishiba emphasized the importance of expanding free trade to enhance regional connectivity, promote trade and investment, and achieve further growth [4][5]. - Japan aims to integrate Africa's vitality into its own development, recognizing Africa as a "growth center" due to its rich natural resources and population growth [5]. Group 2: Investment and Technology - Japan plans to invest in infrastructure, resource energy, and IT sectors in Africa, addressing social issues and creating job opportunities for the youth [5]. - The Japanese government intends to support the development of digital fields, including AI, by collaborating with African universities to train 30,000 AI professionals over three years [5]. Group 3: Strategic Importance of Africa - The conference highlights Japan's strategic focus on Africa, particularly in light of China's increasing influence and the need for transparent development cooperation [6][10]. - Africa is viewed as a key region for economic security, with significant reserves of rare metals and rare earth elements essential for electric vehicles and electronic devices [10].