Africa Diaspora Network in Japan (ADNJ) addresses the critical gap between cultural understanding and business collaboration between Africa and Japan. It emphasizes that breaking cultural barriers is essential for fostering innovative entrepreneurship, co-creation, and sustainable development.

ADNJ prioritizes building mutual trust and shared values to unlock economic opportunities and empower enterprises in Japan and Africa.

Since 2019, ADNJ has been at the forefront of addressing the gap between cultural understanding and business collaboration through a series of targeted initiatives that combine cultural education, networking, and business promotion. ADNJ launched the “Discover Africa” online series, organizing 28 virtual events that introduced Japanese people and companies to African cultures, industries, and investment landscapes. Additionally, the “Discover Africa Food” events brought together participants in 16 interactive gatherings that used culinary experiences to deepen cultural understanding and spark informal dialogue between African and Japanese attendees. ADNJ also developed the “African Students Meet & Greet,” a mentorship and orientation program designed to support new African students in Japan, easing cultural integration and fostering long-term personal and professional connections.

ADNJ initiated the “Go to Africa” campaign to motivate Japanese companies and individuals to travel to African countries, meet potential partners, and explore opportunities firsthand. The Osaka Africa Business Forum, held annually in 2022, 2023, and 2024, has served as a key platform for African companies and governments to build strategic ties with enterprises in the Kansai region, which boasts over 500,000 SMEs and a globally respected manufacturing base. To recognize impactful efforts in fostering Africa-Japan cooperation, ADNJ established the ADNJ Award, an annual accolade honoring individuals and organizations advancing socio-economic collaboration between the two regions.

ADNJ envisions scaling its impact through a series of transformative initiatives that enhance Africa-Japan co-creation by blending entrepreneurship, innovation, and cultural exchange. Central to this vision is the transformation of the Osaka Africa Business Forum into a multi-day flagship event. The expanded forum would span two to three days and include thematic sessions on trade, digital innovation, green technology, agriculture, and the creative economy.

As part of its academic and leadership development agenda, ADNJ plans the implementation of a University Exchange Program in collaboration with various academic institutions, including the University of Osaka. This one-semester exchange will immerse students in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and cross-cultural leadership, with a focus on Africa-Japan relations. The initiative will progressively expand to additional universities across Japan and Africa to increase participation and diversity.

ADNJ plans the establishment of a Japanese language and culture school in each of the five African regions. This initiative is designed to create job opportunities for Africans while serving as a strategic human resource pipeline for Japan. The program may be delivered through a hybrid model, combining both physical and virtual learning. These schools aim to address the language and cultural barriers currently existing between Africans and Japanese, thereby enabling more seamless job creation and mutual human resource exchange.

People-to-people exchange can also be strengthened through sports. ADNJ plans the development of sports exchange programs focusing on various games such as football, handball, running and others. These activities would promote physical health and mental well-being among young people, while also fostering international understanding. Such programs would contribute to the broader objective of enhancing intercultural exchange and supporting the health and wellness of youth through constructive and unifying sporting experiences.

Activities to promote exchanges between African countries and Japan

To complement academic and entrepreneurial exposure, ADNJ plans to launch a Business Tours initiative. These tours will provide Japanese students and entrepreneurs with the opportunity to explore African startups, SMEs, and cultural heritage sites firsthand. In return, African professionals will engage in business tours across Japan, gaining insights into Japanese enterprise models and innovation ecosystems. Both sides will come together in joint workshops to co-design solutions to shared challenges, reinforcing mutual understanding and innovation.

The Inochi Forum will collaborate with diverse organizations, including ADNJ, to foster a stronger and more enduring bridge between African countries and Japan across academic, cultural, sports, and business domains.

[References]

・ADNJ Website
https://organization.adnjapan.org/en/about/

・ADNJ LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-diaspora-network-japan/

[Action Platform]

Economy, Employment and Poverty / Arts, Culture and Sports

[SDGs]