South Africa and Japan enjoy well-established diplomatic relations which are particularly strong in the fields of trade and investment; science and technology and education; and skills development assistance.

Full diplomatic relations with Japan were established on 13 January 1992. In 2010, relations between the two countries were upgraded to a Strategic Cooperation Partnership. 2025 will mark 115 years of relations between South Africa and Japan.

Since its launch in 1999, the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum (PF) has been held at ministerial level to facilitate discussions on bilateral issues such as trade and investment, as well as development and global challenges, including cooperation in the United Nations arena and stability of regional situations. The 13th edition of the South Africa – Japan Partnership Forum took place in Japan, on 13 October 2022.

Japan is one of the major investors in the South African economy and has a presence in South Africa of 273 companies, sustaining over 200,000 local job opportunities to benefit many South Africans.

As of February 2024, Japan is the 4th largest economy in the world (nominal GDP). Total bilateral trade between South Africa and Japan in 2023 was R155.7 billion (with South Africa recording a trade balance of R55.8 billion). According to Statistics SA, 13 176 Japanese tourists, visited South Africa in 2023.