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Johannesburg - Japanese businesses and investment in South Africa will help build the country, President Jacob Zuma said in Tokyo, on Tuesday.
"Japanese companies have a tradition of taking a long-term view and placing emphasis on contributing to society," Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery at the South Africa-Japan Business Forum.
"Therefore, South Africa and the region will only benefit from the continued presence of more Japanese businesses."
He said Japanese companies were also participating in South African infrastructure programmes, particularly in the rail sector.
"Of late, we have also witnessed keen interest from Japanese banks to support their clients on the ground in South Africa."
Zuma said this was "a very encouraging sign".
Japan is South Africa’s third largest export destination and the fifth largest source of imports.
In 2010, Japanese direct investment into South Africa amounted to almost R20bn.
Zuma said South Africa hosted 110 Japanese companies, generating about 150 000 jobs.
"What is more, manufacturing companies, such as Toyota, contribute significantly to raising the capacity of local industries through supplier development and skills development programmes."
He said Japan was the largest bilateral donor in the infrastructure sector in Africa, as well as a strong supporter of the programme for infrastructure development in Africa.
Zuma said South Africa was researching beneficiation of raw minerals and Japan was envisaged as a strategic partner in achieving this.
"Despite the lack of natural resources, Japan is able to claim global leadership in a vast number of manufacturing sectors, ranging from the automotive sector to the most sophisticated high technology sectors.
"...I also want to encourage more Japanese companies to take advantage of South Africa as a manufacturing platform to increase their market share on the growing African continent."
