Pretoria – South Africa and Japan have explored areas of military and defence cooperation of the two armed forces.
On Monday, Japanese vice Defence Minister Minoru Kihara visited South Africa to exchange information on defence related matters, and to find out more about the South African Arms production and procurement industry.
“It (the visit) opens ways for us to engage on matters of defence and military interest for both our defence forces, in particular the technology and research and development sector,” said Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Kebby Maphatsoe.
He was speaking at a hand over of military vehicles by the Japanese Government at the Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC) in Thaba, Tshwane.
“We are grateful for the contribution your government has made to the PMTC,” he told vice Defence Minister Kihara.
The PMTC is a visible symbol of the government of Japan’s efforts to strengthen mechanisms that enhance and builds international peace and security in Africa.
“This centre enables and equips our soldiers with skills on issues pertaining to the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process, which Africa desperately needs at this point in time.”
The PMTC continues to provide the empowerment of Military Observers, Civil Military Coordination and broadly enriching the skills and reservoir of the SANDF in peacekeeping in the spectrum of Peace Support Operations.
Japan is the third largest trading partner with South Africa and a major provider of development finance and Overseas Development Aid to South Africa.
There are more than 100 Japanese companies with investments in South Africa of which South Africans have benefited from, through skills development and training as well as the transfer of technology and skills.
“As a leading nation in the science and technology, research and development as well as innovation, we believe that Japan has a lot to offer South Africa in the area of human capacity to enhance its industrial base.
“It also includes the defence industry where we are pioneers in a range of defence technology. The research and development in the economic sphere taken together with defence technology development can enhance the development of both our countries.
“Your country’s recent decision regarding the reinterpretation of Article 9 of the country’s War-Renouncing Constitution, potentially opens the way for a range of bilateral engagements in defence co-operation,” the deputy minister said.
Attempted defence relations between the two countries have been very few. One of the first engagements was held in 1998 during South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum in Tokyo.
In that regard there has been limited consultation and exchange between the armed forces of Japan and South Africa.
“We are therefore of the view that your recent landmark decision regarding Article 9 of your Constitution couples with this very important visit to our country does indeed open a way for both countries to start discussions on possible defence co-operation between our Armed Forces. All these must be done one step at a time so as to enable us to understand each other’s needs,” said Deputy Minister Maphatsoe. – SAnews.gov.za
