Minister Ronald Lamola's Opening Remarks During a Bilateral Meeting With Japan

Minister Lamola to host his Japanese counterpart for Bilateral Consultations The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, will host the Foreign Minister of Japan, Mr Toshimitsu Motegi, on 05 May 2026 for bilateral talks in Pretoria. The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations with emphasis on energy, security, critical minerals and the reaffirmation of Japan’s Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) investment commitments. The two Ministers are also expected to exchange views on key global political issues. South Africa and Japan maintain strong, long-standing diplomatic relations, particularly in trade and investment, science and technology, education and skills development. Formal ties were established on 13 January 1992 and elevated to a Strategic Cooperation Partnership in 2010.