TOKYO, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Japan will open three new embassies on Jan. 1 in Botswana, Malawi and Mali to enhance its diplomatic existence in these African nations, Japanese foreign ministry said Wednesday.

    Mali has been stepping up cooperation with Japan at various international organizations, the ministry said, adding that Malawi has become a major recipient of Japan's economic aid, while Botswana has seen a growth in the number of Japanese tourists in recent years.

    Besides, Japan will also set up three new embassies in Micronesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Lithuania, respectively. By adding the six new embassies, the total number of Japanese embassies worldwide will reach 123, the ministry said.

    Japan will host the Tokyo International Conference on African Development next year and apparently intends to strengthen its diplomacy in Africa. According to Kyodo News, the Japanese government is seeking to open two more embassies in Africa in fiscal 2008 which ends at the end of March 2009.