Japanese Foreign Minister, Taro Aso
3 December 2006
Tokyo: South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, today,
Sunday, 3 December 2006, arrived in Tokyo, Japan ahead of her scheduled
official visit and bilateral discussions with her Japanese counterpart Foreign
Minister, Taro Aso, scheduled for Monday, 4 December to Wednesday, 6 December
2006.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is visiting Japan with a view to the consolidation and
strengthening of bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Japan
within the context of national efforts to ensure a faster and shared economic
growth.
As is the practice for visiting dignitaries, Minister Dlamini Zuma will
engage with Ambassadors and Heads of Mission of African Missions in Japan,
aimed at exchanging views on recent African developments.
In the light of South Africa's economic relations with Japan, on Monday, 4
December 2006, Minister Dlamini Zuma will meet with key captains of industry
such as Mr Miyaji, Member of the International Investment Council (IIC) and
Corporate Advisor to Mitsubishi Company as well as the Vice Chairperson of
Toyota, Honorary Consul, Mr Nakagawa.
Following this interaction, Minister Dlamini Zuma will meet with the Deputy
Vice-Minister for Foreign Policy, Mr Kono.
Later, Minister Dlamini Zuma will be hosted by Foreign Minister, Taro Aso,
for bilateral, political, economic and trade discussions. Issues on trilateral
co-operation will also feature as Japan will chair the Group of Eight (G-8) in
2008 whilst South Africa will in 2008 be in its second year as the
non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
On Tuesday, 5 December 2006, Minister Dlamini Zuma is scheduled to meet with
Mr Kyosuke Shinozawa, the Governor of the Japan Bank for International
Co-operation (JBIC) as well as the President of the Japan External Trade
Organisation, Mr Hiroshi Tsukamoto and Mrs Ogata, President of the Japan
International Co-operation Agency.
Discussions will also take place between Minister Dlamini Zuma, the
Secretary-General, Senator Yano and members of the South Africa Parliamentary
Friendship League and Senators Araki, Nomura, Shiina and Kawai.
On Wednesday, 6 December 2006, Minister Dlamini Zuma will pay a courtesy
call at the Japan Football Association, where she will meet the
Secretary-General of the Japan Football Association with a view to South
Africa's hosting of the 2010 Federation Internationale de Football Association
(FIFA) World Cup.
Upon the conclusion of her official visit to Japan, Minister Dlamini Zuma
will then proceed to Washington, United States of America (USA) where she will
provide political support to President Thabo Mbeki during his bilateral
discussions with President George Bush on Friday, 8 December 2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Nomfanelo Kota, in Tokyo
Tel: 00813 906 504 0422
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
3 December 2006
