The JPO held its first Japan-Africa Patent Office policy dialogue in time for TICAD7 held in Yokohama from August 27 (Tuesday) to 30 (Friday), 2019.
In order to support Japanese companies entering Africa, they proposed and agreed to "strengthen comprehensive cooperation on infrastructure development of intellectual property".
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2019/08/20190829006/20190829006.html