Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on his way to Africa and the Middle East.

It's the latest of many overseas tours Abe has made since taking office.

Abe will seek to boost trade with countries including Cote d'Ivoire and Ethiopia.

Abe called Africa a frontier for Japan's diplomacy.

He'll pledge support for infrastructure and human development projects in his weeklong tour.

Officials from Japanese trading companies and construction firms are accompanying Abe.

With one eye on Africa's natural resources, Japan hopes to boost sales in the continent's rapidly growing markets.