5 January 2001
Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori of Japan will pay a working visit to South Africa between 8 and 10 January 2001. The visit is of a historic significance in the sense that it will be the first time a serving Prime Minister of Japan visits Africa. During his visit, Prime Minister Mori will meet President Thabo Mbeki for discussions on matters of mutual interest and common concern. Prime Minister Mori will also make a policy speech regarding Japan's position on Africa.
South Africa and Japan established full diplomatic relations on 13 January 1992. For several years Japan has been South Africa's third or fourth most important trade partner internationally, and South Africa's most important trade partner in Asia. In 1999, total trade was in the amount of R 22,6 billion, and was evenly balanced. South African exports to Japan totalled R 11,2 billion. Direct investment from Japan to South Africa is in excess of US 500 million dollars.
Following the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994, Japan granted South Africa an Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) package in the amount of US 1,5 billion dollars. In 1999, following the inauguration of President Mbeki, a second ODA package of US 1,5 billion dollars was extended to South Africa. Since 1989 Japan has been ranked as the world's top ODA donor.
During the visit of Prime Minister Mori, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Ambassador Atsushi Hatakenaka will sign the framework Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) Agreement. The signing ceremony will be witnessed by President Mbeki and Prime Minister Mori. The JOCV was established in 1965 to provide for official Japanese technical assistance programmes abroad. The JOCV is staffed by young experts who have volunteered to assist developing countries in the tasks of nation building, for example in the human resources field. In South Africa the JOCV, functioning under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will enter into project agreements with either provincial or line function government departments as required.
FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT BASETSANA THOKOANE
CELL 083443 7740
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Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
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