Deputy President Paul Mashatile has successfully concluded his working visit to Japan, which sought to reaffirm the strong cooperation between South Africa and that country in areas of mutual interest.
As the two nations celebrate 115 years of strong diplomatic relations, 2025 signifies a significant milestone as both countries chair important multilateral organisations.
South Africa currently holds the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20), while Japan will lead the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) Summit in August this year.
During the working visit, Mashatile met with Japanese government officials, including a courtesy call to Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
The Deputy President expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support for South Africa’s Presidency of the G20, saying that he was looking forward to collaborating with Japan to ensure that TICAD-9 is a success.
“Since 1993, Japan has been hosting TICAD, which focuses on Japan’s support of African development through public and private support of initiatives aimed at peace and stability, and growth in the private sector, infrastructure, human resources, climate change, and education.
“Indeed, South Africa and Africa have a reliable and respectable ally in Japan,” said the Deputy President.
The country’s second-in-command also met with the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League to strengthen bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between South Africa and Japan.
“The meeting emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation and highlighted the importance of the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League in fostering stronger ties between Japan and African countries,” a statement from the Deputy President's office read.
Mashatile had the opportunity to engage with representatives from the Japanese business community, including the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), Keidanren, and the Association of the African Economy and Development in Japan Committee (AFRECO).
The discussions aimed to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.
During these engagements, the Deputy President highlighted South Africa’s favourable business environment, skilled workforce and strategic location, making it an attractive destination for Japanese investment.
Addressing concerns raised by the Japanese business community, Mashatile reported on progress made in reducing the backlog and fast-tracking visa applications, government’s commitment to ending load shedding and ensuring safety for citizens and investors.
The Deputy President is confident that these engagements will yield positive results, further strengthening the partnership between the two countries.
“As this delegation goes back to South Africa, we have a collective mandate to bring to life some of the discussions and agreements that we have had with our counterparts and other stakeholders here.
“We are motivated and will do everything it takes to [ensure] another 115 years, with sustainable economic, cultural and people-to-people benefits for the people of both our countries,” Mashatile said.
The Deputy President was accompanied by several officials, including the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka; the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie; the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane; the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen; the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina. – SAnews.gov.za
