Japan-Republic of South Africa Relations

On May 21, commencing at local time around 2:55 p.m. (May 22 at around 2:55 a.m. Japan time), for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting Buenos Aires to attend the G20 Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers, held a bilateral meeting with Hon. Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu, Minister of International relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa. The overview is as follows.

1. Minister Kono expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the Government of South Africa towards the successful holding of the first Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum this month in Johannesburg, South Africa. Furthermore, he requested an early visit of Minister Sisulu to Japan for a Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum as well as her participation in the Ministerial Meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to be held in Tokyo this year. In addition, as Japan will host TICAD 7, G20 and Rugby World Cup next year, he expressed expectations for further strengthening the relations between the two countries.
2. In response, Minister Sisulu stated that she would like to enhance the relationship with Japan, including through participation in various meetings to be held in Japan. She expressed her hope for cooperation with the Government as well as companies of Japan, especially in the areas of investment promotion, which President Cyril Ramaphosa advocates, as well as skills transfer and job promotion for the youth.
3. In addition, the two ministers exchanged views on cooperation in the international arena, including the reform of the United Nations Security Council.