South Africa – Japan Centennial Celebrations

What are the Japan – South Africa Centennial Celebrations?

In 1910, the Government of Japan decided to appoint Mr Julius Otto Jeppe, who was at the time living in Cape Town, as the honorary consul of Japan in South Africa. The nomination was made to ensure the status of Japan and Japanese citizens in South Africa as well as to promote trade with South Africa.

Mr. Jeppe was a Briton of German decent, resident in South Africa and engaged in trade and maritime affairs. He worked as the honorary consul of Japan from 1910 until 1918 at an office located in Short Market Street in Cape Town. Moreover, he pioneered the exporting of South African wool to Japan and introduced Cape wines to East Asia, contributing as such to strengthening the relationship between Japan and South Africa. In 1916, Mr. Jeppe paid a courtesy call to the then Taisho Emperor and received the golden cup for his contributions.

2010 marks the one hundred years since the appointment of Mr. Jeppe as the honorary consul.

History of Japan and South Africa during the last 100 years

The Government of Japan established the consulate in Cape Town in 1918 after the nomination of Mr. Jeppe as honorary consul, the first of its kind in Africa. In 1916 a regular ship to transport Japanese migrants to South America stopped in Cape Town after coming from the Indian Ocean. In 1926, a regular ship exchange was established between Kobe and Durban.

The Japanese migrant ship going to South America was allowed to stop in Cape Town and to disembark for several days. As a sign of appreciation to such facilitation, the Government of Japan handed over a stone lantern to the city of Cape Town. This stone lantern was set and still stands in the Companies’ Garden (next to the South African Parliament building), which is South Africa’s oldest garden situated in the centre of the city.

After the establishment of a legation in Pretoria in 1937, diplomatic relations were broken off due to the Second World War in 1942. After the War, consulate relations resumed. In 1952, a consulate general was established in Pretoria and in 1964 a liaison office was established in Cape Town. Following the democratisation process of Apartheid, diplomatic relations were re-established in January 1991. The Embassy of Japan in South Africa was opened in February of the same year.

Since 1994, dignitaries such as Prime Minister Mori, Prime Minister Koizumi, and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi among others visited South Africa from Japan. From South Africa; President Mbeki, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka, Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma, Environment and Tourism Van Schalkwyk among others visited Japan. Moreover, more than 350 South Africans have stayed in Japan as assistant language teachers in Japan so far. From July 2010, about more South African youths are going to Japan as English teachers.

Currently, just one century after the nomination of Mr. Jeppe as honorary consul, Japan is South Africa’s biggest export destination and fourth biggest import source (2008). Japan and South Africa are working hard to further strengthen this partnership.

Japan – South Africa Centennial Celebrations Schedule

2010 marks the Centennial Year for Japan - South Africa cooperation but it is also the year when the FIFA World Cup will be held in South Africa. We think that 2010 is an important year to promote and deepen the understanding of each of the two countries. Japan and South Africa are geographically far from each other, but we hope that the different events that will be held next year will narrow this distance. Cultural events planned for this year include:

16th Japanese Film Festival

  • Feb 26-28, Pretoria Brooklyn Mall
  • March 6-7, Durban Gateway Mall
  • March 13-14, Cape Town V&A Mall
  • March 18-2,, Rosebank Mall

Entrance is free.

Download PDFPlease download the pamphlet for the schedule and films

DVD lecture on the traditional Japanese Theatre (Kabuki, Bunraku, Noh and Gagaku)

The Embassy has invited Dr. Michiko Hirama from Japan. This lecture, using audio-visual examples, aims to introduce Japanese traditional music and theatrical performances containing music to South African audiences. The lecture gives a broad and fascinating overview of these four art forms (Kabuki, Bunraku, Noh and Gagaku) and how Japanese society has developed over the last 1300 years.

  • Feb 24, 19:00 at The University of Pretoria (Masker Theatre)
  • Feb 26, 15:00 at Stellenbosh University (Thom THeatre)
  • March 1, 17:15 at Rhodes University (Eden Grove Red Hall)
  • March 4, 16:00 at UKZN Howard College (Bogani Mthethwa Room)

Entrance is free.

Download PDFPlease download the pamphlet for more information.

A collaborative philharmonic concert featuring Japanese conductor, Mr.Yasuo Shinozaki
and Japanese pianist, Ms. Noriko Ogawa.

KZN Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Feb 25, 19:30 at Durban city Hall (Japanese conductor Mr. Yasuo Shinozaki with solist, Mr Julian Webber)
  • March 4, 19:30 at Durban city Hall (Japanese conductor Mr. Yasuo Shinozaki with solist, Ms. Noriko Ogawa - piano)

LinkTicket information ：

Download PDFPlease download the programme

Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra

  • March 10, 20:00 at Linder Auditorium in Wits University (Japanese conductor, Mr. Yasuo Shinozaki with solist, Ms. Noriko Ogawa- piano)
  • March 11, 20:00 at Linder Auditorium in Wits University (Japanese conductor Mr. Yasuo Shinozaki with olist Ms. Noriko Ogawa- piano)

LinkTicket information

Download PDFPlease download the programme

Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) demonstration

Collaborative events with Ikebana International South Africa on April 17, from 10:00 at Embassy of Japan in Pretoria

Entrance is free.

Japanese martial arts demonstration

Collaborative events with South African Federations of Karate, Judo, Kendo, Iaido, Aikido and Okinawa Ryukyu Kobujutsu
on April 17, from 14:00 at Embassy of Japan in Pretoria

Entrance is free.

Other

There will also be a Japanese drum performance, Tea Celemony, Japanese cuisine evets and much more.

The Embassy is also working to establish a Centre for Japanese Studies in Johannesburg. The Centre proposes to plant 100 Japanese cherry blossom tree saplings across several sites in South Africa.

Contact information

Embassy of Japan in Pretoria
Tel : 012 452 1500
Email: hiroyuki.togawa@mofa.go.jp or vanessa.da.silva@embjapan.org.za