On March 18, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi met with South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Tokyo. The brief meeting, lasting around 15 minutes, marked a significant moment in the growing relationship between the two countries. Deputy President Mashatile is in Japan at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a pivotal year that celebrates South Africa’s G20 presidency, Japan’s role in hosting TICAD 9, and the 115th anniversary of Japan-South Africa relations.
During the meeting, Hayashi expressed his pleasure in welcoming Mashatile’s delegation, noting the continued high-level visits and expanding cooperation between Japan and South Africa across various sectors. The Chief Cabinet Secretary emphasized the strengthening of ties not only at the governmental level but also in the private sector, underscoring the importance of bilateral collaboration.
Mashatile reciprocated with his appreciation for the visit, sharing his enthusiasm for furthering ties between the two nations, particularly in areas of mutual interest.
Hayashi also took the opportunity to discuss energy security and the need for a balanced energy transition, reiterating Japan’s commitment to working with South Africa on these fronts. He called for ongoing support to improve the business environment, ensuring stable operations for Japanese companies operating in South Africa.
Mashatile expressed gratitude for Japan’s support, particularly in the renewable energy sector, and voiced hopes for deeper collaboration as South Africa seeks to decarbonize and attract increased Japanese investments.
