REFLECTION ON BILATERAL RELATIONS
Your Excellency, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Ambassador Fumio Shimizu and members of the Japanese delegation
Director-General Mr Zane Dangor and members of the South African delegation

This year marks 116 years of relations between South Africa and Japan. Over this period, our cooperation has expanded significantly across a wide range of sectors. The depth of our partnership is also reflected in the continued high-level engagements between our two countries, including:

• Deputy President Mashatile’s visit to Japan in March 2025, which strengthened cooperation in political, economic, and social areas.

• President Ramaphosa’s participation in TICAD 9 in Yokohama last year reinforced our shared commitment to Africa’s development priorities, aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063. This also supports SADC priorities, including during South Africa’s interim and upcoming Chairship, where continued cooperation with Japan remains important in advancing regional development and integration objectives.

• The inaugural meeting between President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Takaichi in Johannesburg on the margins of the G20 Summit in 2025 reaffirmed the commitment to our bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

• The visit by the JICA President in January this year further strengthened cooperation in support of South Africa’s national priorities.
South Africa continues to prioritise diversification of trade and investment partnerships, with Asia as a key region. We see strong potential for expanding access for South African agro-processing and agricultural products to the Japanese and broader Asian markets.

Japan remains a key economic partner, with significant investments in our economy. We value the confidence demonstrated by Japanese businesses, including Toyota’s recent R10.4 billion investment pledge at the 6th South African Investment Conference, supporting the transition to new energy vehicles.

We are also excited about the prospects of venturing into new areas of cooperation, such as defence equipment, following a very successful engagement between South African and Japanese companies involved in this industry in September 2025. We trust that the momentum gained during this engagement will translate into tangible cooperation partnerships.

Today’s discussions will provide an important opportunity for open engagement on a range of issues in a rapidly evolving global environment.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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