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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially congratulated Sanae Takaichi on becoming Japan’s first-ever female Prime Minister. The announcement was made on Thursday, 23 October 2025, and marks a significant diplomatic milestone between the two nations.
What Happened
President Ramaphosa extended his congratulations on behalf of the South African government and citizens. Takaichi’s election is being hailed as a turning point in Japanese politics.
“We look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Takaichi to strengthen our bilateral ties,” Ramaphosa said.
The two countries have maintained long-standing relations grounded in peace, trade, and mutual development goals.
Key Areas of Cooperation
South Africa and Japan plan to collaborate in the following areas:
- Trade and investment
- Education and academic exchange
- Science and technology innovation
- Cultural and people-to-people relations
- Sustainable development
Diplomatic Snapshot
| Country | New Leader | Notable Firsts |
| Japan | Sanae Takaichi | First woman to become Prime Minister |
| South Africa | Cyril Ramaphosa | Welcomed stronger Asia partnership |
What This Means for South Africa
With Japan as one of top trading partners, this diplomatic exchange could lead to:
- Increased investment in green technology
- More scholarships for SA students in Japan
- Expansion of cultural exchange programmes
- Strengthened SA–Asia relations
Official Source
Read more from the Presidency of South Africa: www.thepresidency.gov.za
