Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina and Japanese Ambassador to South Africa Fumio Shimizu during Japan’s National Day celebration in Pretoria, marking 116 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Image: Supplied
South Africa and Japan are strengthening their long-standing bilateral ties, with science, technology and innovation emerging as a central pillar of the relationship.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina described cooperation in these fields as “future-oriented” while representing the South African government at Japan’s National Day celebration in Pretoria.
The reception honoured Emperor Naruhito, whose birthday is observed annually on 23 February as a national holiday in Japan.
Gina said scientific and innovation collaboration between the two countries complements expanding economic and trade relations, positioning the partnership to respond to global challenges such as climate change, energy transition and public health resilience.
“For many years, Japan has invested in South Africa’s greatest resource, our people, through scholarships, research exchanges, and technical training that have empowered a new generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators,” she said.
Between 2017 and 2024, researchers from both countries jointly published more than 5,000 scientific papers, reflecting what the deputy minister described as a productive and globally competitive partnership. Areas of cooperation include renewable energy, medical sciences, climatology, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
A major focus area is a green hydrogen partnership led by South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation. The initiative is expected to inject more than R300 billion into the local economy over the next few years, with plans to develop a sustainable supply chain and explore potential exports of green hydrogen and ammonia to Japan.
“Science diplomacy remains a powerful instrument in deepening bilateral relations. Through shared knowledge, co-creation of solutions, and investment in human capital, our two countries are contributing meaningfully to sustainable development and inclusive economic growth,” Gina said.
She also highlighted the role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in advancing development assistance, technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives aligned with South Africa’s national priorities.
This year marks 116 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Japan. Total trade between the two countries reached R140 billion in 2025, up from R133 billion the previous year, with Japanese enterprises continuing to play a significant role in South Africa’s economic landscape.
Gina expressed hope that Japanese companies would increase their investment commitments at the upcoming South Africa Investment Conference scheduled for 31 March.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina and Japanese Ambassador to South Africa Fumio Shimizu during Japan’s National Day celebration in Pretoria, marking 116 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Image: Supplied
Japanese Ambassador to South Africa Fumio Shimizu said high-level exchanges between the two nations had strengthened relations, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Japan in August 2025 to attend the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD)
“South Africa and Japan are sharing fundamental values, such as upholding the rule-based international order, democracy, and fundamental human rights,” Shimizu said, adding that Japan is South Africa’s sixth-largest trading partner and seventh-largest investor.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador said Japan sees significant potential to expand and deepen economic cooperation, particularly in light of South Africa’s energy sector reforms aimed at addressing climate change and advancing the energy transition.
“We look forward to contributing to the motor industry’s decarbonisation through the introduction of relevant systems and technologies. In addition, trade and investment between the two countries will further expand,” he said.
On the global stage, Shimizu said Japan looks forward to working with South Africa and other African partners to advance reform of the United Nations Security Council.
He added that Japan remains committed to socio-economic development initiatives in South Africa’s poorer communities, noting that the Embassy of Japan recently signed grant contracts with two primary schools in Limpopo for the construction of new classrooms, toilets, a laboratory and a library.
“We remain committed to walking together with South Africa and cooperating as much as we can,” Shimizu said.
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, Fumio Shimizu
Image: Embassy of Japan
Ambassador to South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho, Fumio Shimizu brings extensive diplomatic experience to his post, having joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989 after graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law.
Over more than three decades, he has served in key roles including counsellor in Japan’s embassies in Afghanistan and France, director of the First Africa Division in Tokyo, ambassador to the African Union, and senior envoy in China—positions that helped shape his deep understanding of international relations and multilateral engagement.
Shimizu arrived in Pretoria in December 2024 to take up his current appointment, expressing a commitment to building on longstanding Japan-South Africa cooperation in economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields, and highlighting the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) as a strategic platform for advancing shared priorities across the continent.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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