Japan and South Africa are celebrating 115 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone shaped by steady political and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Fumio Shimizu said the anniversary reflects “more than a century of friendship and shared progress,” adding that the countries “share the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
Shimizu noted that about 250 Japanese companies now operate in South Africa, with many viewing the country as a “gateway to the entire African continent.”
Read Ambassador Shimizu’s full message here.
The business community sees the same upward trend. Simon Farrell, chair of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said Japan remains a major economic partner for South Africa, with “more than 250 Japanese companies” active in the country and supporting more than 200,000 jobs. Farrell pointed to growth areas including critical minerals, green energy, electric vehicle technology and high-value agriculture, saying South Africa’s resource base gives it “huge potential.”
Read Farrell’s full interview here.
Innovation is also becoming a key driver of cooperation. Shintaro Matoba, executive director of JETRO Johannesburg, said the organization is “building bridges” in fields such as green hydrogen, data science and creative industries. He highlighted JETRO’s work with Comic Con Africa, which helps South African businesses access Japanese intellectual property and connect with new partners.
Read Matoba’s full feature here.
As cooperation expands, a growing number of sector-focused organizations are translating this long-standing relationship into practical partnerships on the ground, particularly in sustainability and trade.
Japan and South Africa are celebrating 115 years of diplomatic relations, a milestone shaped by steady political and economic cooperation.
According to the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ), “the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is Africa’s pioneering hub for green technology.” Situated in Cape Town, South Africa, it “offers a dynamic location for building as part of a thriving manufacturing cluster.” The SEZ notes that it “capitalizes on the region’s booming green economy sectors (wind, solar, storage, waste, agri-tech, water and materials),” with a focus on “a world class, secure and sustainable infrastructure platform for manufacturing.” It adds that the zone provides investors with “a supportive ecosystem and a commitment to creating an inclusive, low-carbon, resource-efficient economy.”
Fruit South Africa also points to tangible progress in market access and trade engagement. The organization says it “strengthens the country’s position as a leading exporter of high-quality fruit through active market engagement, international collaboration, and the consistent promotion of South African fruit abroad.” In Japan, it notes that “our partnership with the South African Embassy has been instrumental in deepening trade relations.” Fruit South Africa adds: “Together, we host annual Fruit South Africa seminars to engage with Japanese importers, share insights on our export volumes and varieties, and communicate South Africa’s dedication to supplying safe, premium fruit that aligns with Japanese consumer preferences.”
Together, these examples show how Japan–South Africa relations are moving beyond diplomacy alone, with targeted initiatives in green manufacturing and agricultural trade helping to define the next chapter of a 115-year partnership.
