Japan sends top diplomat on Africa trip to offset China tilt

Motegi seeks support for 'free and open Indo-Pacific' in Belt and Road hot spot

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Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks at a meeting in Tokyo in October. © Reuters

SHOHEI KANAYA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- With Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi's tour of four African countries starting Tuesday, Tokyo hopes to build stronger economic ties and affirm support for the idea of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" in a region where China has already established a firm foothold.

Motegi will stop in Tunisia, Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius on his first visit to the continent since becoming foreign minister in September 2019.

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