Japan’s magical ties with SA expanding
We have made connections, which we hope to sustain into the future, writes
AS WE find ourselves on the threshold of 2019, I am filled with gratitude for the support and collaborations the Office of the Consul of Japan has experienced in 2018 with the Cape Town community in our landmark centenary year as the first Japanese foreign mission on the African continent.
I am especially grateful to the Cape Times and the editor Aneez Salie for having granted me the opportunity to share some of Japan’s connection to this great city, South Africa and the continent, made possible through the column, the Japan Connection, which was featured in the Cape Times on selected Mondays.
All the articles dealt with and explored Japan’s connection, especially to the community of Cape Town and the Western Cape and beyond these boundaries. As I reflect on the interactions of my office with the community of the Western Cape, the City of Cape Town and South Africa at large, I am filled with gratitude and respect for our shared journey dating back beyond the century when Japan established its first consular office in Cape Town in 1918.
Japan is lucky to have started its journey with Africa in one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in the world.
Yesterday, on December 23, His Majesty Emperor Aikihito turned 85-years-old. This is the last National Day of Japan to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty Emperor Akihito, as His Majesty will abdicate on April 30, 2019, after 29 years at the throne as 125th Emperor of Japan.
In turn, on May 1, 2019, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito will accede to the imperial throne.
The constitution of Japan states that the Emperor is the symbol of the state and unity of the people. Hence 2019 is the dawn of a new era for Japan, after the current “Heisei” (19892019) period, preceded by “Showa” (1926-1989) era.
Details of the Enthronement Ceremony for foreign dignitaries to be held on October 22, as well as the name of the new era, are yet to be announced.
In fact, the year 2019 is an extraordinary year for Japan. Japan hosts the Rugby World Cup for the first time in its history, with the opening ceremony taking place on September 20, 2019.
On the following day the very first match by the Springboks will be played against the All Blacks at Yokohama Stadium.
Then after what promises to be two months of world-class rugby and raving excitement in Japan, all eyes of people around the world will be on Yokohama Stadium, November 2 for the final (many probably hope the same two teams as on September 21 at Yokohama will remain for the final).
The Springboks will arrive early in Japan and as the host nation it is our honour to host a friendly game against them at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium on September 6, two weeks before the start of the World Cup.
There will be a number of events and initiatives to support the mounting hype including a Parliamentarian Rugby World Cup to be held on September 13-20 at the foot of Mount Fuji and the South African Parliamentary team has already been registered as a participating team. (Our office will host Japan Day 2019 – Rugby World Cup edition, our annual Japan Day cultural event, will be Rugby world Cup themed.)
Japan will also host the G20 Summit from June 28-29 in Osaka. Osaka is the second biggest city after Tokyo, a dynamic city of commerce, where the 2025 World Expo will also be held.
Assuming the G20 presidency after Argentina, Japan also hosts a series of G20 ministerial meetings in 9 different cities; Meetings of Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors (June 8-9 in Fukuoka); Foreign Ministers (Nov 22-23 in Nagoya); Ministers for Trade and Digital Economy (June 8-9 in Tsukuba); Ministers for Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth (June 15-16 in Karuizawa); Agriculture Ministers (May 11-12 in Niigata); Health Ministers (October 19-20 in Okayama); Tourism Ministers (Oct 25-26 in Kutchan, Hokkaido); and Minister for Labour and Employment (Sept 1-2 in Matsuyama).
Japan looks forward to welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa and his ministers to Japan to discuss global issues including development challenges of the African continent.
Japan also hosts the Seventh Summit of the Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (Ticad 7) on August 28-30 in Yokohama.
After a successful Japan-Africa Public-Private Economic Forum co-hosted by Japan and South Africa in May where more than 2 000 delegates including 25 ministers and top businessmen from Africa and Japan gathered, private investment became key pillar for Ticad 7 Summit.
With a powerful tone set by the keynote address of President Ramaphosa at the forum, new investment from Japan followed including that of Komatsu, Tokyo Marine, Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Komatsu’s new R985 million campus in Germiston is South Africa’s largest single-owner industrial complex. Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies in KwaZulu-Natal was opened to strengthen the manufacturing sector under NDP.
Investment by Mitsubishi Corporation to Anglo Platinum Venture Fund could enhance innovation including PGM-powered technologies related to hydrogen infrastructure, fuel-cell electric mobility and energy storage, and thereby increasing global demand of PGMs and promoting sustainable growth of the industry.
These investments are based on the long-term vision and commitment to enhance the capacity of the region. Japanese investment is often with robust sharing of success models and human resource development.
Close collaboration between Japan and South Africa in 2000 at the G7 Kyushu Okinawa Summit and Ticad process have led to the launch of the Nepad agency. Japan is looking forward to making the most of the Ticad and G20 synergy, both being hosted in Japan in the same year, and collaborating with SA to support Agenda 2063 towards the inclusive, sustainable and yet dynamic development of Africa.
An encouraging trend among Japanese businesses is also notable in Cape Town.
At least six Japanese companies invested and opened their bases since 2016. Those include Nomura International, Panasonic SA, AJ North/Rhouto Pharmaceutical, Hayakawa SA, Ocean Network Express and Sompo Japan (dispatched a young official to Sanlam). They are among 26 Japanese companies already operating in Cape Town including NGK Ceramics SA. Why are they investing in Cape Town?
Cape Town is the African City of Opportunity (PricewaterhouseCoopers 2018). This year, Cape Town also ranked as top financial centre in sub-Saharan Africa. It has a workforce operating at a high standard with 3 out of the top 10 universities in Africa (or 2 out of the top 3).
It is the Start-up and digitech innovation capital of Africa, with double the size of the expertise in Nairobi and Lagos combined, yet with engineering labour cost being just one third of that in Silicon Valley.
New investment by Amazon is testimony that the Cape has a good ecosystem towards 4IR. It is also the logistics hub with the added benefit of a port, efficient retail system and Cape Town International being recognised as the best airport in Africa.
The Mother City also has efficient administration with good investment support, and it is a great working environment for the welfare and well-being of expat families.
I feel extremely humbled, with more than a quarter of a century’s walk in my career, to have been entrusted with the responsibility of celebrating the highlights of Japan’s connections with Cape Town, South Africa and Africa on the occasion of its centenary.
I am humbled and feel blessed to serve as the torch-bearer for continued friendship, cultural exchange, trade and investment and political relationship between the two nations for mutual benefit. But most important of all is the people.
We have made some magical human connections, which we hope to sustain into the future.
We wish you a joyous festive season and look forward to an exciting 2019 and your personal engagement with Japan.
Naito is the Consul of Japan in Cape Town, and has served as a Japanese diplomat in SA for 19 years intermittently since 1987.
I am filled with gratitude and respect for our shared journey dating back beyond the century when Japan established its first consular office in Cape Town in 1918.