The article details a courtesy call on March 18, 2025, between Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba and South Africa’s Deputy President Mashatile. They discussed strengthening bilateral relations, Japan’s role in TICAD 9 and the G20 Summit, and collaborative efforts towards global challenges such as North Korea and UN reform.
On March 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan welcomed Deputy President Paul Mashatile of South Africa for a courtesy call lasting approximately 35 minutes. This meeting underscored the significant partnership between Japan and South Africa, highlighting their shared values and collaborative efforts in multiple domains.
Prime Minister Ishiba conveyed Japan’s commitment to fostering success for the upcoming TICAD 9 event in Yokohama, as well as supporting the G20 Summit, which South Africa is set to chair this year. Deputy President Mashatile expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Japan and reiterated his intent to strengthen the bilateral relationship across various sectors.
The Prime Minister emphasized Japan’s aspiration to collaborate with South Africa in promoting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific underpinned by the rule of law. He also addressed pressing international challenges, including the situation with North Korea concerning its nuclear and missile issues, the abduction matters, and ongoing discussions regarding UN reform.
The courtesy call between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Deputy President Paul Mashatile signifies a pivotal step in enhancing Japan-South Africa relations. Both leaders expressed a mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation across various fields and tackle global challenges. Their discussions also framed the upcoming TICAD 9 and G20 Summit as central to their collaborative efforts.
Original Source: www.mofa.go.jp
