“Discussion of Stability and Prosperity for Africa, 48 states attend but just 4 presidents attend.”
THE UNITED NATIONS SITUATION
UN SECURITY COUNCIL NEEDS A CHANGE-2012
“Poverty Reduction and the incoporation of Africa into the global economy, includes 51 countries and 8 presidents ”
SIDEBAR #1
As more funding was poured in from Japan towards Africa Development it was reported by some African heads of states that Japan was using TICAD as a tool to get a seat into the UN Permanent Security Council. This would also cause some tension between Japan and China since China is still working on building better ties with Africa. For a country to get a seat on the Permanent Security Council, the country needs 2/3 of the U.N member states and all P5 members to approve. You can also imagine that China would NEVER EVER ALLOW Japan on the security council. There are ongoing discussions on reforming the UN Permanent Security Council.
.....Even in Japan, It is understood why this will never happen.......
UN PERMANENT SECURITY COUNCIL P-5
This group has not changed since 1945(WWII). They are the “final say” in matters of decisions concerning International Crisis. They have an incredible amount of HARD POWER. They are the largest arms exporters, highest military budgets, largest militaries and are all nuclear weapon states.
U.S, UK, China, Russia and France
CURRENT U.N COUNCIL MEMBER STATES ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL
The post below is a bitter pill to swallow. However, it is usually said because the person is in a space that is not always welcoming...
![textgram_1515770182[9746].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58feb00686e6c0d9650eacf5/1515770482136-IJPXFYVWR0QF2CC8GW2U/textgram_1515770182%5B9746%5D.png)
“A review of the past and a look at the journey so far included 53 Countries, African Union and 1000 delegates attend.”
ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly (with end of term date)
Japan has had a seat here before, but these 10 members are here for the sake of every very version of political correctness you can think of at the moment.
Bolivia (2018)
Côte d’Ivoire (2019)
Equatorial Guinea (2019)
Ethiopia (2018)
Kazakhstan (2018)
Kuwait (2019)
Netherlands (2018)
Peru (2019)
Poland (2019)
Sweden (2018)
AFRICAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NEVER SAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Central African Republic, Eritrea, Malawi, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, South Sudan, Swaziland. You better bet, Japan has a great relationship with all these countries and has offered quite the assistance for the sake of development.
COUNTRIES THAT HAVE NEVER SAT ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL-60
More than likely, they might never seat on security council. These countries more than likely understand that piece of tolerance and accpetance but a majority of these 60 countries have a "great" relationship with Japan.
“Mobilizing resources of the International Community on: Economic Growth, Human Security, including achieving the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, Environment/Climate Change issues.
2,500 participants, 51 African Countries, 40 African Presidents and representatives from 70 international organizations.
”
THE GOOD FOR JAPAN USING TICAD AS SOFT POWER?
THE PATH TO SOFT INFLUENCE IS VERY HARD
Japan and Africa have no colonial legacy, and to quote Abe about the Japan and Africa relationship "we have "Co- Manager" relationship. You gotta love the guy, he is really selling TICAD or Nippon-African Affairs by way of Soft influence. However, the beginning of TICAD came from under pressure not for the sake of more South to South corporation.
The Official Development Assistance by Japan historically was targeted towards Asia as compensation for Japan's role in the war. In the 80's as the world fell under the spell of Cool Japan, the economy blossomed TREMENDOUSLY. Japan was accused for not caring but you must appreciate why Japan for not wanting to be involved in anything not Japan.
Anyway, all that pressure for not caring about poor countries came in time as the West was not feeling as generous with development assistance towards Africa. Japan saw opportunity from the international pressure and this created TICAD 25 years ago.
TICAD allows Africa an added choice outside from the west. TICAD is an opportunity for Japan to flex soft power in a "neutral" space. It shows the global stage that Japan has learned lessons from war and is a fully rehabilitated state. Japan is also now key a player in South to South corporation.
The West and SOME neighbors of Japan have argued that TICAD is nothing more but the Japanization of Africa.
“ Japanization
The process in which Japanese culture dominates, assimilates, or influences other cultures....
Similarly
The Europeanization or Westernization in narratives and ideologies of spaces below the equator… Let us use that in a sentence…
The Europeanization in former colonial spaces has altered the definition of beauty, such as an Afro is unprofessional but straighter hair is professional.
….
The Westernization in societies will be that former colonial spaces speak dialects and Western nations (Former Colonial Masters) speak languages.
Yet the very definition of a language is “A system of conventional spoken, manual, or written symbols by means of which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, express themselves.”.
”
But in soft power, you must have attraction and appeal. Japan is very attractive with TICAD as a tool of "Diplomacy of Resources" from Japan towards Africa.
“Japan pledged $32 billion from 2013-2018 to Africa”
How do you show of your appeal if you are Japan in Africa?? Appeal is desperately needed if you are going to execute soft power. We touched on just how states gain soft power and influence, but Japan is a bit complicated.
So, if you are Japan, you need appeal in your policies. Money is great, but your policies must be attractive. The attractive policies from Japan to Africa come with investment in Development within the sectors of: Agriculture, Infrastructure, Water Resources(Waterplomacy), Education, Health, Technology, and more Market Access.
Lastly, this part is very important in selling your soft power. You must make your new friends believe you are on the same level. Prime Minister Abe described Japan and Africa as "Co-Manager". Now, this is exactly how uninterrupted seduction takes place, so when you say S&*T, it sounds like Sugar, Honey, Ice, Tea.
Sugar Honey Ice Tea #1
Japan has promised to fight for Africa to have a seat on the security council, this is something that none of the other Asia powerhouses have advocated for loudly. Well unless if you count the time, that India felt empowered to tell Namibia to relax on nuclear ambitions.
Can you imagine Bangladesh telling India to relax on ambitions to self-protect as neighboring Pakistan works on nuclear capabilities??? In the words from our Californian sisters known as
En Vogue
MAINTENANT, TU ES FOUTOU -(JAPAN TO CHINA)
That is French for "Fine, but you are screwed". This checkmate move from Japan towards China is a well thought out plan. You see Japan knowns that Africa states have no access and WILL NEVER HAVE to hard power or a chance to seat on the permanent security council.
Anyway, this move of advocacy from Japan towards African states puts China in a bind. I mean China says “No” to any Africa state fighting for a seat, Japan would suddenly become a friend to Africa like this...
Anytime You Need A Friend
This is petty from our Japanese friends but brilliant! In the event that you cannot deal directly with your enemy, by all means create a situation to make their policies and image weak. A Prussian General once said, War is the continuation of politics by other means and China is appreciating this on the behalf of Japan’s efforts towards Africa.
“Prime Minister Abe stated “The enormous continent of Africa has given no permanent member to the United Nations Security Council. Agenda 2063 states clearly that by 2023, it will rectify this situation,”
Referring to a vision document by the African Union that was launched in 2013 in Addis Ababa to help develop Africa by 2063.”
Read the documents below to see just how Africa states decided to screw themselves over and properly. They can sign such documents for peace but cannot come together for W.A.S.H related solutions that are permanent.
HARD POWER IS NOT AN OPTION FOR AFRICA
“The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Japan of “attempting to impose its wills on African countries to gain selfish interests and drive a wedge between China and African countries.”
CURRENT HARDPOWER PLAYERS
“Checkmate”
.......BUT TICAD HAS SOME KINKS
“First to be held in Africa (Nairobi, Kenya). 32 Presidents, Prime Minister of Japan, of State and Government from Africa, the Prime Minister of Japan, 22,000 participants from Africa and Japan, 2000 Business representatives from Japan and Africa. The Theme was ‘Advancing Africa’s sustainable Development agenda: TICAD Partnership for Shared Prosperity. Japan promises to invest from 2016-2018 an additional $30billion to more public private partnerships. ”
We can start and ending with avoiding all the issues stated in this article.
This is the second part to the Soft Power issues of Japan in Africa. To catch up on the first part