Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Ishiba by Deputy President Mashatile of South Africa (Summary)

On March 18, commencing at 10:00 a.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from the Honorable Mr. Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, during his visit to Japan. The summary of the courtesy call is as follows.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister ISHIBA expressed to Deputy President Mashatile that Japan and South Africa are important partners that share fundamental values and principles and have cooperated with each other in a wide range of fields. He also stated that Japan would like to work closely for the success of TICAD 9, which Japan will host in Yokohama, and the G20 Summit, which South Africa chairs this year. In response, Deputy President Mashatile thanked his first visit to Japan and expressed his desire to further strengthen the cooperative relationship with Japan in a wide range of areas.

2. Prime Minister Ishiba also stated that Japan would like to continue to work closely with South Africa to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law and to resolve various international challenges such as response to North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue, and UN reform.