Africa's Quest for Modernity: Lessons from Japan and China

This monograph addresses the complexity of China-Africa and Japan-Africa relations from a comparative perspective. The volume is divided into five sections. Section I focuses on the divergent perspectives that are reflected in the discourse on China-Africa relations. Section II discusses Japan’s economic modernization and its potential lessons for Africa. Section III compares the foreign policies of Japan and China in Africa and analyzes their supposed rivalries on the continent. Section IV explores the relationship between Southeast Asia and China and its relevance to Africa-China relations. Section V provides an in-depth case study of Ethiopia-China relations over the last century. The book fills a major gap in the existing literature on the triad of Africa, China, and Japan. Under the guidance of the disciplines of African studies, international relations, political sociology, and international political economy, this volume elucidates and examines the complexities of theforeign policies of the two Asian powers toward Africa as well as their economic, political, and cultural underpinnings.

About the Author

Seifudein Adem teaches Global Studies at Doshisha University, Japan. He is also a Research Associate at Ali Mazrui Center for Higher Education Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He received his early education in Africa, Ethiopia, where he was born and raised. He holds a BA degree with Distinction (Political Science), MA (International Relations), and PhD (International Political Economy). His current research includes Africa's interactions with Asia, particularly China and Japan.