The Republic of South Africa and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence ties during a high-level meeting between State Minister of Defence Mr Taro Honda and South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Major General (retired) Bantu Holomisa, in Tokyo on Friday 23 May.
The meeting highlighted the enduring diplomatic relationship between the two nations, which has spanned over 115 years. Both sides underscored the importance of defence cooperation in addressing evolving regional and global security challenges.
Honda welcomed Holomisa and expressed appreciation for South Africa’s continued engagement. The two leaders reviewed the current regional security environment and explored opportunities for deeper collaboration. They noted the increasing momentum in defence relations, including the historic port call by a Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) vessel to Cape Town in July 2024, an event seen as a significant milestone in bilateral defence engagement.
In addition to the formal meeting, Holomisa attended the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan exhibition, where he held constructive discussions with senior Japanese defence officials and industry leaders. These included Chief of Staff General Yoshida, Nobuaki Miyama, Chief Executive Director of the Japan Association of Defence Industry (JADI), and Takeshi Ishikawa, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA). Talks focused on enhancing industrial cooperation in defence technology and production.
Holomisa emphasised South Africa’s ongoing role in promoting peace and stability in Africa, particularly through its contributions to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). He highlighted operations such as the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) as evidence of South Africa’s commitment to addressing regional threats, including terrorism, cybercrime, maritime insecurity, and transnational organised crime.
The meeting also acknowledged Japan’s consistent contributions to peacebuilding, capacity development, and humanitarian assistance across the African continent. Japan’s reputation for technological innovation and its principled foreign policy approach were recognised as valuable assets in any future partnership.
Looking ahead, key areas for potential cooperation were identified by South Africa:
- Enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Rim
- Supporting peacekeeping operations and training
- Strengthening disaster response coordination
- Facilitating joint military training and knowledge exchange
With shared democratic values and aligned strategic interests, Japan and South Africa appear well-positioned to advance their defence cooperation agenda. As Deputy Minister Holomisa noted, “Together, we can help build a more peaceful, secure, and rules-based international order, beginning with our respective regions.”
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