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- October 2016
- METI Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara Attended a South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the Field of Mining
METI Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara Attended a South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the Field of Mining
On October 4, 2016, Mr. Takumi Ihara, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, attended an investment promotion seminar held in Tokyo concerning mining in the Republic of South Africa (hereinafter referred to as “South Africa”) and delivered the opening remarks. The seminar was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). Taking this opportunity, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara also held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Mosebenzi Zwane, Minister of Mineral Resources, South Africa, and exchanged views regarding the stable supply of mineral resources to Japan, enhancement of the bilateral relationship, and other issues.
1. Japan-South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the field of mining
On October 4, 2016, METI and JOGMEC jointly held a South Africa Investment Promotion Seminar in the field of mining, by inviting Minister Zwane as the guest of honor, aiming to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and South Africa in the field of mining. This seminar is one of the efforts under the project titled “Japan-Africa Ministerial Partnership for Resources Development (JAMP),” which was adopted at the Second Japan-Africa Ministerial Meeting for Resources Development (JAMM 2).
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara attended the seminar and delivered the opening remarks. In addition to introducing the government of Japan’s support measures for South Africa, he stated that it is important for both countries to maintain and develop their cooperative relationship in the field of mineral resources and that, to this end, he expects Japanese companies to invest in the country.
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2. Bilateral meeting with Minister Zwane
Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ihara took this opportunity to hold a bilateral meeting with Minister Zwane, and both sides exchanged views concerning the stable supply of minerals to Japan, enhancement of the bilateral relationship toward the development of a sustainable mining industry, and other issues.
At the meeting, both sides also agreed that Japan and South Africa will cooperate in concluding a comprehensive MOU in human resource development and other issues in the field of mining, utilizing the opportunity provided by the Mining Inaba conference to be held in South Africa in February 2017 to sign the MOU.

Group photo at the seminar

A scene from the bilateral meeting
Release date
October 5, 2016
Division in Charge
Mineral and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy