On the afternoon of May 31, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the African Fair 2013 in Yokohama.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I am very happy to see that ahead of the opening of TICAD V, the 'African Fair 2013' is being held successfully, drawing such a big crowd, and I would like to express my sincere congratulations.   
Among the numerous side events of TICAD V, the African Fair is an outstanding event in which Africa and Japan can have close exchanges.
I would like to express my respect to everyone involved from Japan and Africa who provided a full lineup of exhibits, including the largest number of African booths in the history of the fair, surpassing that of the previous fair, as well as to the organizers, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the African embassies in Japan.
The scale of the fair's expansion has also given momentum to TICAD.   
TICAD V marks the milestone of the 20th anniversary of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development and the TICAD process, which were started by Japan, together with African countries. 
During these two decades, Africa underwent a major transformation from a continent receiving aid and development support, to a business partner with which we can grow together. 
To further solidify Japan-Africa economic relations, there must be not a one-way but a two-way enhancement and expansion of trade and investment.
This is also one of the themes of this year's TICAD.
In regard to this fair, Japanese companies in particular have a significant interest in Africa, and the products exhibited by each company are those which will further enrich life in Africa. These companies have brought with them a broad range of transport, electric power, food, and water supply-related products, as well as daily goods and even anime.
For example, the 'wigs for women' on display are made by materials provided by Japanese companies and are worn by many African women.
With regard to how this product differs from the products of other countries, the strength of Japan's products is that this wig is fireproof and will not burn easily, allowing women to enjoy fashion without having to worry.
I encourage my friends from Africa in attendance to take a look at Japanese products on this occasion, and incorporate Japanese products into their lifestyle. I too am looking forward to seeing fashionable African products. 
Cherishing these exciting events in which Africa and Japan can develop the closest affinity with each other, I would like METI and JETRO to continue to steer and hold these fairs in order to further cement Japan's relationship with Africa.
I would like to end my remarks by wishing that the exchanges between the people of African countries and the people from Japanese companies will deepen even further."