Remarks made by His Excellency Mr Katsuya Okada, Foreign Minister of Japan at the concluding session of the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum,
Friday 30 April 2010.

Her Excellency, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Ladies and gentlemen,

First, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to the Minister for the thorough preparations you made for the 10th meeting of the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum and also for welcoming us so warmly to South Africa. South Africa continues to play an important role in ensuring the stability and prosperity of the African continent. It became increasingly prominent that South Africa also plays an important role in global governance as a member of the G20. With regard to our own bilateral relations, South Africa is an indispensable partner for Japan economically as well as in the international fora. It is my firm belief that it is in our mutual interest to strengthen the “Strategic Cooperative Relationship” between Japan and South Africa. This is the reason why I decided to start my first trip to Africa as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan from here, South Africa. With regard to the outcome of the working session of the Partnership Forum held yesterday, I am happy to know that very useful discussions were held on achievements and challenges in key areas such as development cooperation, trade and investment, energy, science and technology, as well as culture. At the bilateral meeting with Minister Nkoana-Mashabane which was held as a political session of the Partnership Forum, we have discussed an overview of bilateral relations including political and economic issues as well as global issues. We have agreed to strengthen our “Strategic Cooperative Relations” and to further promote our cooperation in a wide range of areas. We have also agreed to strengthen our dialogues on global issues such as the reform of the United Nations Security Council, climate change, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation in order for us to be able to better cooperate on these issues.

The 10th meeting of the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum is the first official policy discussion under the new administrations of both South Africa and Japan. In that context, the outcomes of the discussion held during this forum mark an important starting point of cooperation between our two countries. It is thus necessary to follow up the results of these discussions and to make further progress in the next Partnership Forum. Bilateral relations between Japan and South Africa have grown over the years, despite ups and downs, and made remarkable advancements thanks to the efforts of our predecessors. This year, 2010, is an important year for Japan and South Africa as it marks the centenary since the commencement of official relations 100 years ago. It is also an important year for South Africa as you host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first World Cup has ever been held on the African continent, the Japanese National Team, the “Blue Samurai,” will also participate. It is my sincere hope that the 10th meeting of the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum opens a new chapters in the relations between our two countries.

To close, I would like to express my gratitude once again to Minister Nkoana-Mashabane and the officials of South Africa.

Thank you