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Japanese PM to Make Major Policy Statement During Visit to S. Africa
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is expected to make a major statement on his country' s foreign policy toward Africa during a three-day working visit to South Africa next week, said an official with South Africa's Foreign Ministry January 5.
"We are very, very happy that they chose South Africa for this major foreign policy pronouncement," Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Department Jerry Matsila said.
Mori, who will be the first ever Japanese head of government to visit South Africa, will also hold talks with President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria, according to him.
The two leaders will discuss matters of common concern, including possible Japanese assistance for conflict resolution on the continent, said Matsila.
Mori will arrive in South Africa next Monday, accompanied by a 20-member delegation. He will leave the country next Wednesday for Kenya and Nigeria, before returning to Japan.
South Africa and Japan established full diplomatic relations on January 13, 1992. Japan is one of South Africa's most important trading partners. Trade between the two countries totaled 22.6 billion rand (US$30 billion) last year and was evenly balanced.
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