South Africa is seeking to deepen trade and investment cooperation with Japan, with a focus on export diversification and new collaboration in energy and defence sectors.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola made the remarks during bilateral talks with his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi in Pretoria, on Tuesday, May 5.
Lamola noted that the two countries are marking 116 years of diplomatic relations, with cooperation expanding across multiple sectors. He highlighted recent high-level engagements, including visits by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and President Cyril Ramaphosa, as well as participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
He said South Africa is prioritizing Asia as a strategic region to broaden trade partnerships, particularly by increasing agricultural and agro-processing exports to Japanese and wider Asian markets.
Japan remains a key investor in South Africa’s economy, with Lamola citing Toyota’s recent R10.4 billion investment pledge at the 6th South African Investment Conference, supporting the shift towards new energy vehicles.
Beyond traditional sectors, the minister pointed to emerging opportunities in defence cooperation following engagements between industry players from both countries in September 2025, expressing confidence that these discussions would translate into concrete partnerships.
The talks, held against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, also focused on energy, security and critical minerals, while reaffirming Japan’s investment commitments under TICAD and a shared vision for Africa’s development aligned with Agenda 2063.