1 - Transforming Asia–Africa Relations from a Reflection on Japan's Diplomatic Engagements with Africa since the Asian-African Conference

Presentation Abstract
This paper reflects on transforming Asia–Africa relations and their history by reviewing Japan’s diplomatic engagements for seven decades. It revisits the postcolonial history of Asia–Africa relations since the Asian–African Conference (1955, Bandung, Indonesia) and reviews Japan’s diplomatic approaches in Asia and Africa. Since the Asian–African Conference, how Asian and African countries have established and transformed their relationship in collaborations and rivalries through regional and inter-regional engagements? Japan has had a specific character and role in Asia–Africa relationship history since the end of World War II, although Japan played a very marginal role in the Bandung conference process and did not join in the Non-Aligned Movement. Japan’s engagements indirectly mirrored the character in contemporary Asia–Africa relations. This paper focuses on transforming Asia–Africa relations and its history through transforming Japan’s diplomatic and economic engagements.