The friendship and collaboration between Japan and South Africa – as an essential factor in the advancement of peace, prosperity and mutual understanding – have been reflected upon at Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s meeting with Japanese Ambassador to South Africa, Fumio Shimizu.
The Deputy President received a courtesy visit from newly appointed Ambassador Shimizu at Mashatile Tuynhuys office in Parliament, Cape Town, on Tuesday.
Shimizu is hosting a high-powered Japanese delegation in South Africa to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, alongside a number of G20 workstream meetings.
At Tuesday’s meeting, South Africa and Japan reaffirmed their strong diplomatic and economic partnership, with Mashatile emphasising Japan’s role in South Africa’s economic growth and investment landscape.
“In particular, the Deputy President appreciated the continued strengthening of South Africa-Japan cooperation in several sectors, including politics, trade and investment, science and innovation, education, energy and development cooperation,” the Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.
Mashatile highlighted Japan’s role as one of South Africa’s most significant economic partners, particularly in the automotive industry, technology, skills development and mineral beneficiation. He expressed optimism about increasing Japanese investments in local manufacturing, job creation and infrastructure projects.
“In Japan, we see the potential for the increase of already sizable investment in our economy, especially in the automotive industry, technology and skills development, commercialisation and manufacturing, as well as machinery for mining and mineral beneficiation, which are among the key economic drivers in South Africa,” Mashatile said.
The Deputy President and Shimizu committed to strengthening cooperation in various sectors, including science and innovation, education and energy.
Mashatile will undertake a working visit to Japan next month to solidify trade relations and attract further investment.
South Africa also eagerly anticipates the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama this August, which is expected to further bolster economic ties between Japan and the African continent. – SAnews.gov.za
