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30 January 2009

Tokyo: South African Deputy Minister Fatima Hajaig on Thursday, 29 January 2009, concluded her four day official visit to Japan during which she consolidated bilateral political, economic and trade relations between Japan and South Africa.

While in Japan, Deputy Minister Hajaig led a senior South African government delegation to the ninth Japan – South Africa Partnership Forum within the context of South Africa's priority to strengthen North-South relations with a view to consolidating the African developmental agenda. Deputy Minister Hajaig co-chaired the Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum with her counterpart Deputy Minister Seiko Hashimoto from 26 to 27 January 2009.

The ninth Japan – South Africa Partnership reviewed:

* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the two countries
* domestic developments in Japan and South Africa
* recent developments within Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union
* follow up activities of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV)
* African conflict situations
* the Middle East
* Japan's priorities and objectives for its tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
* the comprehensive reform of the global governance architecture including the United Nations and the Bretton Woods Institutions
* global issues of interest including the financial crisis and climate change.

While in Japan Deputy Minister Hajaig also held discussions with Foreign Minister Nakasone and Ambassador Oshima and Senior Vice President of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
30 January 2009