1.	The eighth Meeting of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Council was held on　April 10, from 17:10 to 18:10; Prime Minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry attended the meeting.
2.	Recognizing that problems facing Africa share an important place in the current international agenda, issues on economic cooperation for Africa were discussed particularly in the context of Japan's hosting of TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) IV and the G8 summit in 2008.
3.	The following three important aims of Japan's overseas economic cooperation for Africa were confirmed: i) contributing to solving problems endemic in Africa such as poverty, conflicts, and infectious diseases; ii) strengthening the foundation for diplomacy through reinforcement of the ties with African countries which comprise about 30 % of UN member countries. iii) expanding Japan's economic relationships with Africa, which abounds with natural resources and is a potentially important market for Japan.
4.	Building on the three points as described above, it was agreed that, mindful of African ownership, Japan will extend assistance in the following areas where Japan can claim advantage: i) in view of the stabilization of society and economy in Africa in recent years, Japan will promote cooperation in the following areas in order to realize "poverty reduction through economic growth," mindful of governance and economic situation of recipient countries. Due attention will be paid to developing the private sector and strengthening bilateral relationships.
			a) offer policy recommendation based on Japan's own experience and knowledge, together with technical and financial assistance, in such fields conducive to sustainable growth as agriculture and small- and medium-sized enterprises;
			b) support infrastructure investment through the Yen Loan, thereby laying the basis for growth and improving investment climate;
			c) promote trade by implementing the "Development Initiative" including the "One-Village-One-Product Campaign" ;
			d) support the activity of Japanese private companies, also from the perspective of regional development, in such fields as natural resources and energy through JBIC's international financial operations and through trade insurance; and build a favorable environment for the process by ODA.
	ii) Japan will continue to support, from the viewpoint of human security, social development projects in such areas as education, infectious diseases, and provision of safe water and consolidation of peace through JICA's field operations and working with international organizations. Japan will also work on issues of environment and climate change in Africa.
5.	It was also agreed that Japan will engage in active and prioritized African diplomacy by ministers in order to strengthen the ties with Africa.