Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is on the first leg of a tour of four African nations. He held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday. The two leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining the international order based on the rule of law.

Kishida said, "Japan and Egypt are very important partners that cooperate in the region and in international society. Based on these circumstances, we agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership."

Kishida and Sisi discussed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On Sudan, they confirmed they will step up their alignment, including information-sharing between their countries.

The two also discussed the issue of food security for Egypt and plans to facilitate Japanese investment in the rapidly growing Egyptian economy.

Egypt is the world's largest importer of grain. It has depended on Russia for most of its imports.

But shipments have been hampered by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The price of bread has more than tripled.

This is Kishida's first trip to the region since he took office. He will also visit Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.