Japan-South Africa Summit Meeting

[Provisional translation]

 

On June 27, commencing at 6:30 p.m. (local time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Germany for the G7 Summit, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA, President of the Republic of South Africa. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his hope to cooperate with President Ramaphosa in TICAD 8 to be held in August this year to strongly support African-led development and put forward a pathway for African development. In response, President Ramaphosa stated that Japan is a special partner in all aspects, including politics, economics, and diplomacy and expressed his hope that TICAD 8 will serve as an opportunity to encourage further expansion of Japanese companies and further development of trade and investment relations between Japan and South Africa.
2. Prime Minister Kishida expressed concern over the pain inflicted on Africa as result on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Pointing out that Russia is causing a global food crisis by inflicting damage to Ukraine's agriculture and hindering grain exports, Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would provide food assistance to African countries. In response, President Ramaphosa stated that the recent conflict in Ukraine has exposed Africa’s vulnerability of food security and that it would be grateful if Japan could provide support for improving this situation.
3. The two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening the functions of the United Nations including Security Council reform as well as regional situation in East Asia and other issues, including response to North Korea’s nuclear, missile and abductions issue. The two leaders concurred to continue working closely together to address these issues.