TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Sunday that his country will help Mauritius cope with natural disasters from rising sea levels and cyclones.

Motegi unveiled the plan in a series of meetings with Mauritius leaders, including Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, in the Indian Ocean island country, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

He also explained Japan’s efforts to help Mauritius recover from last summer’s oil spill from a cargo ship chartered by a Japanese company.

Speaking at a virtual press conference after the meetings, Motegi said he received a request from Mauritius for 30 billion yen in emergency soft loans. Tokyo will consider the request positively, he said.

At a joint press conference with Mauritius Foreign Minister Nandcoomar Bodha, Motegi said the two sides agreed to work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Mauritius was the final leg of Motegi’s four-nation Africa tour that began on Tuesday.

JIJI Press